NEWS EXTRA OFFICIAL LAUNCHING OF OLEEF AS GROUND BREAKING HOPES ARE ASSURED

 

BY LEO EZEKIEL

The official launching of Oloi Evbagharu Erediauwa Foundation (OLEEF) took place at Protea Hotels, Central Road, Off Sapele Road, Benin City on Tuesday, 29^th August, 2023 with the immediate past Deputy Governor of Delta State Deacon Kingsley Otuaro as the chairman of the event as ground breaking hopes are assured. Speaking to the gathering Deacon Otuaro praised the board members of foundation for their uncommon initiatives to officially launch OLEEF to the general public adding that he has personally keyed into the ideas and ideals of OLEEF and also added that he and his man Fridays have concurred on how much resources they have mapped out to dole in as their financial contributions to the board of OLEEF. 

He also goaded the gathering to graciously support the foundation with their financial contributions positively. Speaking to the audience as the keynote speaker the Vice Chancellor, Benson Idahosa University Prof. Sam Guobadia, a professor of economics delivered his lecture which he titled “Integrating Governmental and Non-Governmental Initiatives for Societal Good”. 

Speaking further to the gathering Prof. Guobadia states that the official launching of OLEEF is in memory of Oloi Evbagharu Janet Erediauwa  (Nee Agho) spouse of His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Erediuwa, CFR who did pass on to great beyond seven years ago. Accordingly Prof. Guobadia stated that the topic is further sensitive in that it is an attempt to explore the humanitarian intervention hiatus between governments and NGO-Governmental Organisations (NGOS) in providing assistance or relief for those who lack the capacity adding that to participate optimally in the socio economic activities of the society or worse still are unable to provide for their household. 

Prof. Guobadia states that it is really vital to acknowledge the interventionist humanitarian responsibilities the OLEEF has placed on itself since its establishment adding that OLEEF lived an inspiring life of service to God, the church and humanity. And, again, Prof. Guobadia said that Nee Agho did live a life of a altruism, partnered with orphanage homes and individuals to ensure that poverty does not place handicap on children who God have endowed with intelligence, special skills to make the society better for all and sundry.

Prof. Guobadia informs the gathering that the OLEEF was an icon of compassionate and compelling service to humanity as she lived and did teach kindness, humility, love, faithfulness and patience adducing that she daily ministered to the needs of others especially the less privileged in the society and was adept at using her opportunities to bring relief to all and sundry that come in contact with her. He added that the foundation  did spring up to ensure that the virtue and humanist ideals that Nee Agho did live for do not go down with her to the world beyond adducing that foundation is therefore committed to giving greater expression to all that she did stand for, to all and sundry that she did represent, delivering programmes and initiatives that would make the globe a better place for everybody, this indeed was her greatest joy and motivation. 

He added that governments all over globe do not cover the entire space in societies in their routine governance as there is always what many considers ungoverned space in society. He added that lots of things happen within the ungoverned space such as crime, despair, frustration, violence and agitations. He added the voiceless who included those living in abject poverty, misery and hopelessness are compelled to commit suicide, commit crimes and often develop mental ailments as NGOS, more often than not  rise up to intervene in these situations. Prof. Guobadia noted that it is common knowledge that “Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOS) are active in different fields to achieve cultural social, charitable specialized and industrial objectives as he concurs that in most cases, there are setup with a high sense of responsibility towards the resolution and promotion of society. 

Speaking to the audience with her welcome address the chairperson, Mrs. Joyce Ojemudia states that no child should be denied education as OLEEF stands for the empowering the minds hands  and communities. She narrated to the gathering how her father did tell her that through her biro she would feed herself and to God be glory that she took her education very serious and today she is qualified and through biro she is feeding herself and her family. She added that education is the best legacy to hand over to the citizenry. Speaking with Iconblazemagazineonline the daughter of Oloi Evbagharu Erediauwa foundation and Mrs. Ebhodaghe said that she is quite pleasant as the official launch of her late mother foundation took place today adding that her mother passed on seven years ago. She said that they thought of a way of sustaining her legacies and by the spirit of God the ideas came foundation. 

She stated that the planning of the foundation has began since the beginning of this year and thanks be to God that today has become a dream come true as the foundation has been officially launched. Speaking further she said that the foundation is basically about empowerment on education as giving out supports to the downtrodden masses adding that the foundation shall carryout free medical outreach for all and sundry. She says that skills acquisition centre shall be opened in another three months from now and it shall be headquartered at Amagba of Oredo Local Government Area, and that the skills acquisition shall be instituted in the honour of her late mother. Speaking with Iconblazemagazineonline Mr. Slyvester Ebhodaghe a board member and trustee states that they are very grateful to God for the official launch of OLEEF adding that the whole idea of the foundation is to largely support children who are extremely intelligent, yet nobody to take care of the school fees. 

Speaking again he said that the whole idea of the foundation is to support parents who are struggling to pay their children school fees adding that the whole essence of the foundation is to uncommonly be of supportive of parents who are finding it difficult to make ends meet. He said that one child from family of ten has been selected for this coming academic session adding that they hope to increase the number every year. He said that the foundation shall reach hundreds of children out of school in the Edo State particularly adding that the little they are now doing, but, that they believe that they would be able to help lots of children to fulfill their dreams. 

He said that they are particularly glad the idea resonated and lots of peoples have come to be part of the experimentation as they pledge their supports to the foundation. He says that he is of the belief that pledges made would be redeemed and that they would be there for the children selected today for their education up to university level. The OLEEF has begun with eight beneficiaries from Edo South Senatorial Zone, Edo Central Senatorial Zone and Edo North Senatorial Districts and their names are as follows: Agho Osariemen, Dominic Wealth, Precious Sunday and others are Divine Omokaro, Omosefe Oshodin, Melody Great, Uyioghose Divine Osasumwen, Melody Kehinde.