Foundation for the construction of ENAW Afemai Community Park Project was laid on Saturday March 7, 2020 in a groundbreaking-fundraising ceremony which took place at the proposed park’s site in Auchi, Etsako Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria.
At the event which was organized by the ENAW Park Committee, headed by Dr. Charles Kerebo, the sum of N5,408,000.00m was raised.
The park project, sponsored by Edo National Association is second of the three of such, designated for the three senatorial districts in Edo State. First to be completed was the ENAW Akugbe Community Park in Utekon, located in the outskirts of Benin City, Edo State capital.
Edo National Association President, Mr. Edison Oyiboke-Osifo performed the foundation-laying ceremony of Afemai Community park in a very successful event that drew dignitaries from various parts of the country and beyond.
They included delegates from His Royal Highness, Alhaji H.A. Momoh Ikelebe III, the Otaru of Auchi, many Afemai traditional rulers, delegates of Chief Abu Inu Umoru (Chief Launcher) and Chairman of Setraco Nigeria Ltd and other eminent personalities.
Immediate past President of Edo National Association World-wide, Elder Franklin Omoruna, whose administration initiated the park project, was there to grace the epoch-making event, along with other ENAW members from the United States of America and Canada.
They included ENAW Vice President, Prince Ribadu Momoh (USA), ENAW Secretary, Mr. Festus Ehizowmangie; UNIC Club of Canada President, Mr. Emmanuel Aigbedion; Park Committee Vice Chairman, Mr. Godwin Omoruyi (Canada), Alhaji (Chief) Anerhu Hamadu and Dr. and Mrs. Charles Kerebo (USA).
PROJECT BACKGROUND
In 2015, Edo National Association World Wide (ENAW) partnered with Benin Cultural Heritage Center (BCHC) to design, construct and commission ENAW Community Park in Utekon in Benin City – the first of its kind in Edo State.
Recently, in the spirit of fairness and equity, ENAW signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to assist the Afemai Community to design, construct and commission a Community Park in Auchi, for the benefit of Afemai people – to among other things, boost tourism and create an environment for recreational activities for adults and children with a view to promoting good health and longevity.
ENAW Park Committee Chairman, Dr. Charles Kerebo said that they were counting on the humanitarian/philanthropic support of the people of Edo State in particular and Nigeria in general for the actualization of this lofty dream, saying: “God will surely reward you for being part of this history-making project.”
According to him, ENAW is a federally recognized 501(3) (c) not-for-profit organization; donations are tax deductible (in the United States) and donors/contributors will be duly recognized with the inscription of their names in a marque/monument for posterity.
Members of ENAW Park Committee include:
1. Dr. Charles Kerobo (Chair).
2. Mr. Godwin Omoruyi (Vice Chair).
3. Mrs. Juliana Inneh.
4. Mr. Endurance Iyamu.
5. Prince Emmanuel Okunmwendia.
6. Mrs. Victoria Salau.
7. Evangelist Sam Aigbokhai.
