OSODIEME…A WONDERFUL WOMAN INDEED!

Ibeneme Chika (Odaa Opuo)

I watched on Channels television recently the story on how a woman who was mentally challenged for over 38 years was treated, rehabilitated, empowered and handed over to her family through the Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ, pet project of wife of Governor of Anambra State, Her Excellency Chief Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano,  I stood aghast. I became interested in the activities of this non-governmental organization called CAFE. I am still astonished at my discoveries. Records show that the organization has built and delivered bungalows to over 15 indigent widows and the elderly in different parts of Anambra state including a widow from my great town, AMICHI.

Last year, I visited a 90 year old woman from Agulu who benefitted from this humble gift from Osodieme. The nonagenarian expressed joy and solidly said that she never expected this type of gift in her lifetime. She couldn’t believe that it was true until the contractor started working on the building. Her words: “I believe that Osodieme is an angel sent to Anambra to salvage the poor and the needy. I have been praying without ceasing for long life, good health and wisdom for Ebelechukwu Obiano and her husband Governor Obiano.” I went away from that brief encounter impressed by the old woman’s heartfelt and effusive outpour of gratitude to the Obianos, knowing that her life has been unwittingly prolonged.

Another touching encounter is that of Mrs. Chinyeaka Okeke, a widow from Ebenator Okpala village, Amichi. When I visited her, she broke into tears of joy as we were discussing Osodieme’s passionate gift. She said that help was not forthcoming not even from her well-to-do relatives. None of them deemed her worthy of their benevolence for the simple reason of protecting her husband’s inheritance in their homestead. Another side to the story is that she was not even a member of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the dominant party in Anambra, yet Osodieme found her worthy of the rare gift of a free house.

Sharing her past hurts and experiences before fortune smiled on her through the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Chinyeaka recalled a telling comment made by one of her of children, “MUMMY, ANTS NO LONGER BITE US.”- a perfect testimonial about the positive impact of the new 2-bedroom bungalow on the lives of the family. The gift came with a complementary borehole and 2,500 liters overhead tank to supply water to the family with reticulation point to serve the neighbours. All free of charge, courtesy of CAFE and Osodieme.

It is also interesting to note that Chief Mrs. Obiano, Osodieme has two biological children but has adopted more orphans. I am aware one is named Moses. Picked from where he was abandoned by a hapless mother, today Moses and others under Her Excellency’s care are flourishing in good health. Osodieme’s leads a life of caring for the needy and the less privileged both in words and action and she encourages others to touch lives too. No wonder her quiet works have not gone unnoticed.

I have no doubt that the complementary role of Osodieme beside her hardworking husband, our Governor, Chief Dr. Willie Obiano (Akpokuodike) is the best for ndi Anambra and it gives one hope that the best of Osodime is yet to come.  Osodieme is a wonderful woman indeed!

 

Odaa Opuo is a Public Affairs Specialist from Amichi.

askodaaopuo@gmail.com