RAYMOND OZOJI reports
The Special Adviser to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo on Youth Empowerment Programmes Dr. Nelson Obinna Omenugha has explained why he deemed it fit to have a sober reflective 35th birthday ceremony with orphans and the elderly in Anambra State.
Omenugha who officially turned 35 on 15th May this year, told this journalist that he personally decided to mark the occasion with vulnerable people in the society inorder to give them sense of belonging and fulfillment because he observed that the said category of people were often neglected, rejected and abandoned in loneliness and depression.
He therefore stressed the dire need for care and affection to be extended to the vulnerable class like the motherless babies, orphans, destitutes, the aged and elderly and others who are incapacitated and unable to fend for themselves.
Omenugha who cut his birthday cake at St. Martin's Community Children/Welfare Home Igboukwu, owned by the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area of the state alongside His Eminence Peter Cardinal Ebere Okpalaeke, the children and other dignitaries, also gave the kids educational materials such as school wears, bags, sandals, books and others together with a N1 Million donation to support their tuitions and other educational needs.
The governor's aide equally defied an early morning rain on his birthday to visit Community Central School Nnobi his country home in Idemili-South Local Government Area of the state where he doled out books, bags, sandals, school wears and other educational materials to support their learning and thereafter proceeded to St. Martin's Orphanage Igboukwu where he had a brief but elaborate ceremony with children in the orphanage.
Omenugha who stated that he feels very fulfilled supporting less-privileged children in the society, said it was a memorable experience celebrating with the children even as they raised over N6 Million for the upkeep of the children at St. Martin's Community Children Welfare Home owned by the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia Aguata Local Government Area of the state.
He was of the opinion that the Government of Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo is committed to taking children off the streets. That the governor's free education policy has ended the era of children of school age selling sachet water popularly known in common parlance as pure water; begging and hawking all manner of things during school hours.
He maintained that the governor is intentional about rehabilitating street urchins; intentional about investing in the youths and building a system that would work for everyone in the state especially the younger people.
He said, " This year, I made a deliberate and personal decision to celebrate my 35th birthday in a low-key and reflective manner. I chose to dedicate the day to acts of service - spending time with those whose lives remind us of the deeper essence of humanity.
The day began with a visit to Community Central School (St. Mary's Catholic), Nnobi, my hometown, where I donated school bags, books, and other educational materials to support the pupils' learning. I was moved to hear that many of the children still attend school carrying their belongings in sack bags.
It was a sobering reality and a call for collective support. Despite the early morning rain, I was at the school by 8am, and the radiant smiles on teachers' and pupils' faces made every drop worth it.
Already, I have sixty indigent pupils of the school - Community Central School Nnobi (St Mary's Cath) - under my care and whose tuition fees I shoulder. These are part of the children who do not have access to our government free qualitative education initiative because of the paucity of Government-owned/public primary schools in Nnobi.
From Nnobi, I journeyed to St. Martin’s Community Children/Welfare Home in Igbo-Ukwu, where I spent the rest of the day with the children and elderly residents. It was a time of laughter, warmth, and deep conversations. I invited very few friends to join me - and I’m deeply grateful for their presence and generosity.
During my remarks at the Welfare Home, I encouraged everyone to care for their own future by caring for the most vulnerable among us — orphans and the elderly. This aligns with the social agenda and vision of His Eminence, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke and my principal, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo CFR, who never fail to remind us the sacred duty of caring for the children and elders.
I was overjoyed to see many of my friends embrace this vision. The turnout and support for St. Martin’s Welfare Home was overwhelming. And as part of my Child Education Support Drive, I donated educational materials (school wears, bags, sandals, books) as well as a million naira to support the tuition and other education needs of the pupils in the orphanage. I also provided a live cow to support their daily feeding. I must acknowledge and thank all those who provided me with the support to achieve all these. Be assured of my prayers.
My heartfelt gratitude goes to His Eminence, Cardinal Okpaleke, for his presence, words of encouragement, and the great works he is doing for humanity.
As I turn 35, I am reminded that true celebration lies in giving, in touching lives, and in building a legacy of love. "
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