… Launches pet project, raises N137m
By Alltimepost.com
Wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole, has described Nigerian children as special, saying they are always happy and full of joy, no matter the circumstance.
She gave the assessment at the launch of her pet project: “We Care Trust” with a mission to care for underprivileged Nigerian children today in Benin City, Edo State capital.
Mrs. Oshiomhole said she was very passionate about the needs of children. “When I came to Benin, I saw little children full of love, joy, clapping their hands, dancing and singing, welcoming me.
“I remember coming here, feeling overwhelmed with their love, the joy that these kids showed me. I remember these little children that live in some not too beautiful condition. I feel the joy, I love them.
“I remember that people that were with me couldn’t keep their eyes from tears. Everybody was shedding tears.”
She remembered that even in the midst of some members of her entourage shedding tears, the children were “welcoming us as strangers into their homes, and some of them even into their rooms with all their hearts, full of love and joy. This is what I cannot forget.”
“We have to be honest. There is something special about our Nigerian children. These children are naturally happy, and I cannot deny it. So, what we always hear is love, love, love. Love is something that grows.”
Mrs. Oshiomhole stressed the need to love in order to receive love in return, saying: If you keep love, “if you choose love, love will continue to choose you. So, my friends, let’s come together and let’s choose love. And we cannot do it alone; we have to do this together.”
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Governor Oshiomhole said the project was purely the initiative of his wife.
According to him, she paid a visit to some orphanages, and was inspired by a number of children who were being cared for and the terrible condition that prevailed in many of the facilities with lack of access to regular income to ensure the welfare of those kids.
“And she felt that she should organize something on a sustainable basis that she can sustain even long after we have left government, to refocus public attention to those orphanages,” Oshiomhole said.
The Governor said it was customary among most people to, once in a year, maybe during their birthday celebrations to visit the orphanages, stressing that the need of the kids is every day.
“Then, she felt there has to be a more systematic way to provide support. It is purely her own initiative, it is purely her drive. As you can see for the first time, I had no remarks, because it is not my day. But I am happy that she thought about it.”
Over N137 million was raised from pledges and cash donations from donors who included Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who was represented on the occasion.
