Zenith Bank Nigeria has through the 0’5 Initiative, a pet project of the wife of the Delta State governor, Dame Edith Okowa, presented cheques running into millions of Naira to orphanage homes in the state.
The presentation of the cheques is in tandem with the appeal of the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to well meaning Deltans and corporate bodies to provide for the needy in the society to mark his birthday instead of placing adverts on pages of newspapers and organising parties in his honour that have no impact on the masses.
In her speech, Dame Okowa, who was joyous over the gesture of the financial institution, commended the bank for its consistency since 2017, when the bank keyed into the appeal to feed the orphans.
Dame Okowa noted that despite the tough economy, God has continued to use men to impact positively in the lives of the needy particularly the orphans.
Hear her: “As you are aware, this programme which started in 2017 is done annually by Zenith Bank through the O5 Initiative to mark the birthday of my dear Husband Sen. Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Okowa who, at the inception of this administration, made a passionate appeal to Deltans to take care of orphans instead of organizing parties in his honour.
“Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc keyed in and has been consistent with this presentation as part of the vision of the O5 Initiative to care for orphans.
“This is the Lord’s doing and it is marvellous in our eyes, even when the world is going through hard times, there is still supply for the needy”, she said.
According to her, cheques were presented to St. Job Orphanage Agbor, Mother of Divine Grace Asaba and Little Saints Orphanage Warri, in 2017, while in 2018, orphanage homes like Heart of Delta, Uvwie, Eagles Hand Orphanage, Warri and City of David Mission Home, Asaba, got theirs.
Speaking further, the elated governor’s wife, disclosed that in 2019, cheques were given to Mother of Divine Grace, Asaba, St. Barnabas Orphanage, Asaba and Children Revolutionary Centre Oleh, stressing that the last six orphanages in the three senatorial districts equally benefitted.
In 2020, cheques were presented to St. Anne’s, Uvwie and Orem Orphanage, Ughelli, from Delta Central while Ojone Marvis, Ogwashi-Uku and Charity Orphanage, Agbor, from Delta north, were not left out.
Kings Kids orphanage home, Warri
and Potters House, also in Warri, from Delta south equally benefitted from the kind gesture.
Said she: “This year, 2021, Shepherd Care Orphanage and St. Joseph Orphanage Oghara (Delta Central), Trinitarian Orphanage, Asaba and Great Saint Orphanage, Issele-Uku (Delta north) and Crown Kids Orphanage, Effurun and Aruka Peace Foundation (Delta south), benefitted”.
She called on the various caregivers to use the money judiciously for the benefit of the children, charging them to give them the best.
“I want to urge our caregivers to use these funds judiciously to add value to the lives of our children, ensure they are given the best”, just as she prayed the Lord to continue to bless the bank.
Addressing the gathering, Dame Okowa said: “I will like to passionately appeal to well meaning individuals and corporate bodies to take a cue from the kind gesture of Zenith bank.
“Do not wait until you have so much, with the little you have you can join us in changing our world one person at a time”.
