Anniversary: Ebonyi first lady celebrates with destitute homes

The wife of Ebonyi State governor, Mrs Josephine Elechi recently celebrated the 18th anniversary of the creation of the state and 54th Independence anniversary of the country with over 5, 000 children and 25 destitute homes in the state.

The children who were drawn from 13 local government areas, 64 development centres, military and paramilitary formations in the state, agencies, parastatals and 25 destitute homes were given rice, soap, salts, beans, beverages, detergents and condiments, among other gifts.
While presenting the gifts to them at a party organized by the office of the wife of the governor to mark the anniversary, she expressed dismay that most parents allowed their children to misbehave by wearing indecent and crazy cloths.
Mrs Elechi said that the gesture has been a yearly thing where she celebrates with children and the less privileged persons in the state.
She urged the widows to know God and train their children in the way of God instead of running after other men just as she enjoined them to love one another and embrace peace and kindness.
She also advised those who manage the destitute homes to distribute the items among the people without fear or favour.
She disclosed that her pet project, Mother and Child Care Initiative (MCCI), has been affecting the lives of women and children, stressing that though the Federal Ministry of Health took over the VVF centre, her office still carter for their feedings and other things after they were discharged.
The first lady, however, encouraged them not to be dejected by their conditions, but to rather ensure the moral upbringing of their children, charging the chairpersons of the council areas and development centres to identify with the less privileged persons in their areas.
Mrs Elechi said the gesture has been an annual event where destitute homes and children were brought together to get a sense of belonging during the anniversary celebrations, urging them to give priority to proper upbringing of their children and to be of good behaviour in spite of their condition.
She said that the celebration was borne out of her concern for the less privileged who are not being treated well in the society which made them feel dejected and neglected.
According to her, “it is better to give than to receive, God loves a cheerful giver. God says we should love our neighbour. It is in the spirit of the anniversary, and in the spirit of give to the poor and children that I celebrate with them. I urged you not to see your condition as a permanent one but with time being”.
She advised the children to obey and respect their parents in order to live long and have God’s blessing as well as exhibit good moral behaviour that would guide them in all their endeavours.
She also urged the children to advise their mothers to always access healthcare during their antenatal and other maternal services which she said would reduce mother and child death.
Some of the leaders of the destitute homes in Ebonyi State, however, called for a special welfare scheme to cater for their needs and other less privileged persons in the society.
They commended Mrs Elechi for her efforts towards alleviating the sufferings of the less privileged and children, especially the repair of Vesco Virginal Fistula (VVF) patients free of charge by her.
Mr John Nweke of Leprosy Colony Uburu thanked Mrs Elechi for the gesture which he said has been an annual ceremony of celebrating with the less privileged in the state.
One of the children, Miss Ugochi Amechi commended the governor’s wife for the gifts and prayed God to give her good health and long life in order to continue in affecting the lives of children and mothers in the state...post by expdonaloaded