My Testimonial By Dame Edith Okowa

WORDS ON MARBLE

Stand for your family at all times, do not undress your family in public.

A successful man without a successor is a failure. There is no limit to what a woman can do.

The duty of mankind is to please God and help humanity

Look out and see who God has sent you to help.

The only thing that will count for you on the last day is how many people you helped.

As you train your child, do not overlook your neighbour’s child.

When God lifts you up, it is not for you only but for those around you.

Until you realize that you are on assignment, you cannot fulfill purpose.

If you fail in your duty as a mother, you have failed in the great commission.

Nothing is too minor to bring before God, tell Him everything.

Do not jump protocol; Life is one step at a time.

If you run in someone else lane you will be disqualified; maintain your lane.

Whatever you do for your fellow man, you do it for your Father in heaven.

As a believer, be a signpost not a road block.

Your Character is your true beauty.

If you are not a good follower, you cannot be a good leader.

Let all your desire glorify God.

Do not be too compassionate not to correct your children.

As Mothers, we should work on our attitude as our Children are observing us silently.

Do not be in a hurry, we are work in progress in God’s hands. Parents should be intentional; what you fail to address in your children now will make you cry later.

Do not undermine your fellow woman when you are placed in authority. The Church shall be judged by the kind of disciples they raise.

Be the light, shine in your small corner!

Every believer is an advertisement of the Kingdom of God. Character begins with your thought, your action and then your habit. Until your deal with every BUT in your life, your fruit may not abide. Instead of pulling down your sister, lift her up in prayer.

We must find a way to cover one another.

The World should not dictate your pace, there must be a clear distinction between you and the World.

God is not looking for orators, neither is He looking for motivational speakers, but for those whose lives will preach the gospel.

Souls should be won to Christ through our life style.

Bearing a title in Church is good but it will amount to nothing if we do not live the life of Christ.

As a Believer, be conscious of the things you do, people are reading you. The essence of our living, is to draw men to God.

Do not be the reason why your fellow woman will shed tears; Be the reason why she is happy.

O5 INITIATIVE - MY TESTIMONIAL

EDITORIAL

Published by:

O5 Initiative

Office of the Wife of the Governor, Government House Asaba

Executive Producer

Her Excellency Dame Edith Okowa

Editorial Team

Alicia Dominic Okobi

Chukwudi Abiandu

Miracle Enuji

Evelyn Zorzor

Photography

Norbert Amede

Editorial Consultant

Jackson Ekwugum

Design and Print

+234 703 111 3206

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the executive producer

HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR DR. IFEANYI OKOWA, CON GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE

HER EXCELLENCY, DAME EDITH OKOWA WIFE OF GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE (FOUNDER O5 INITIATIVE)

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

CHIEF LAWRENCE OSIEGBU

HON. JOAN ONYEMAECHI MRS RUTH OSIEGBU

PASTOR MATTHEW EZEDOM BARR MRS EBELE IRABOR

DIRECTOR GENERAL AND FOCAL PERSONS

MISSION VISION INSPIRATION

• To feed the hungry

• Clothe the needy

• Provide shelter for the homeless

• Care for the sick

• Visit the prisoner

To change our world one person at a time

“I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. Naked, and you clothe me: I was sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me”.

Matthew 25:35-36

MRS OGHENEKEVWE AGAS DIRECTOR GENERAL

MRS TASE ODIBO FOCAL PERSON PRISONS

MRS MARIA EVWARAYE FOCAL PERSON ORPHANAGE

LADY CHINEZE ONYA- ODIKE FOCAL PERSON CLOTHING

MRS MARY DIDEN FOCAL PERSON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

BARR MRS MARY ERIJO FOCAL PERSON SICKLE CELL

Preface

From inception to date, the O5 Initiative has fulfilled its mandate to Feed the Hungry, Care for the Sick, Provide Shelter for the Homeless, Clothe the Needy, and Visit those in Prison. It has brought relief and hope to many lives through its various programmes, covering healthcare (Sickle Cell and the Free Grassroots Medical Outreach), women empowerment, prison outreach, care for orphans and community development. Despite the global lockdown occasioned by the COVID 19 pandemic in 2020, these programmes continued unabated.

This book highlights the stories of beneficiaries of the 05 Initiative’s laudable interventions in our communities. The recipients cut across all strata of society irrespective of tribe, religion, and party affiliation.

It also contains information about our signature projects - the twenty- three sickle cell clinics in various communities, plus a Referral Centre at the Asaba Specialist Hospital. The Referral Centre is fitted with the necessary equipment to test and

determine if a new born has symptoms of Sickle Cell Anaemia. The advantage is that making such diagnoses early helps to manage the condition. The locations of the sickle cell centres are listed in this book.

It is worth reiterating that the O5 Initiative is neither a political concept nor a subtle social strategy to ‘belong’. It is not even a veiled attempt to impress anyone. It is a divine mandate that is rooted in the scriptures, and expresses God’s love for the poor and needy. The vision is motivated by compassion, while the programmes are implemented with the highest standards of transparency and accountability.

MY TESTIMONIAL is recommended as an inspirational book for all those who seek knowledge about the concept, purpose, and the driving force of the O5 Initiative. It will also be a valuable guide to those who desire to embark on similar humanitarian programmes, especially women in the corridors of power.

I urge you to read and get MOTIVATED as you join in changing our World, one Person at a time.

“LOVE IS THE SUMMARY OF LIFE”.

- Dame Edith Okowa

HEALTH CARE

HEALTH CARE

(a) Sickle Cell

(b) Free Grassroots Medical Outreach ( 2021, 2022)

(c) Maternal and Children Nutrition supplementation

ORPHANAGE

PRISONS OUTREACH

MOTHERS ARISE

COUPLES FORUM

O5 KITCHEN

WORLD CHARITY DAY CELEBRATION

VISIT TO FLOOD VICTIMS

DAYS OF ACTIVISM

INTERACTIVE SESSION WITH WIVES OF TRADITIONAL RULERS

PROVISION FOR INDIGENT WOMEN

BABY OF THE YEAR

END OF YEAR CHILDRENS PARTY

SICKLE CELL

The desire to tackle Sickle Cell Anemia by the O5 Initiative and bring succor to the lives of warriors (pet name for identifying those living with sickle cell anaemia) has led to the establishment of at least a Sickle Cell Clinic in each Local government area of the state. So far, over twenty three sickle cell clinics and a referral centre have been established with world class equipment to help tackle the menace of Sickle Cell Anemia.

The O5 Initiative places special emphasis on combating Sickle Cell disorder which is an enormous Public Health issue that confronts Nigerians in the 21st century and has been a challenge to us especially in Delta State.

The curtailing of Sickle Cell disorder burden in our community is far more difficult

than dealing with acquired diseases. It is easier for Local and State Governments to engage in and achieve a measure of success in rolling back malaria but the control of a genetic disease such as Sickle Cell Disorder is more subtle.

Several challenges have been present. Due to ethical, religious and ethnic issues in genetic counseling , people are apprehensive of genetic programs. They are still very ignorant on issues such as knowing their genotype.

Poverty and lack of necessary knowledge have been identified as the key factors responsible for high death rates among Sickle Cell patients. Several of our mothers and sisters in the rural areas still get married oblivious of the genotype test. Some lack the financial means to check their genotype, some still do not want to believe. Some sickle cell patients and parents are still in self denial. When their

children are born with Sickle Cell Disorder they resort to quacks for solution.

This often results in serious consequences which are usually grave. Indeed, uncountable lives have also been lost because of wrong medication, unguided use of herbs, and razor cuts in various parts of the body of children with Sickle Cell Disorder by unqualified persons. Our medical and nursing personnel in the hospitals are inundated with mismanaged cases several of which would have been managed by just simple treatment.

Records from our hospitals seem to suggest that there has been an increase in the number of registered children living with the Sickle Cell Disorder. This increase may have been due to improvement in

the degree of attention to the disorder, introduction of the pet project of the Governor’s wife on Sickle cell Disorder, commissioning of the Referral centre, development of 23 sickle cell clinics, Neonatal newborn screening and Transcranial Doppler Screening. Also the HPLC investigations in the referral centre , training of our genetic counselors on the management of sickle cell disorder has helped to forestall and improve the mortality rate among sickle cell sufferers in various health institutions.

However, mortality and morbidity among these children from crises every year remain significant and desires increased attention. It is pertinent to state that with a donation of the Newborn Hemoglobinopathy Screening

equipment by Her Excellency, the wife of the Governor, Dame Edith Okowa through the O5 initiative to the Sickle Cell Centre in Asaba Specialist Hospital, there has been Hemoglobinopathy tests done which has enabled babies with hemoglobin opathies to be identified early.

The O5 Initiative instituted the idea of free Health Care under the Delta State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme specifically to help warriors who can barely meet their financial medical bills. Well spirited individual contribute a minimum of seven thousand naira per warrior annually.

It is good to know that in four years, over Six hundred and eighty nine warriors were successfully enrolled and have accessed

medical care in various centres across the state.

SICKLE CELL CLINICS

1. Agbor

2. Ughelli

3. Sapele

4. Kwale

5. Oleh

6. Koko

7. Eku

8. Patani

9. Otu Jeremi

10. Orereokpe

11. Iseleuku

12. Umunede

13. Ogwashi Uku

14. Akwukwu Igbo

15. Ibusa,

16.

17. Warri

18. Obiaruku

19. Burutu

20. Bomadi

21. Oghara

22. Ozoro

23. Aboh

Sickle Cell Centre, Asaba Specialist Hospital

Okwe (Upgraded)

Dr Martha Udom inagurates the Sickle Cell Referral Centre while Governor Okowa, his wife, Dame Edith Okowa, Mrs Betsy Obaseki and Dr. Mrs Otuaro watch with interest

Sickle Cell Clinic, Warri.

Sickle Cell Clinic Orerokpe.

Sickle Cell Clinic, Ogwashi Uku

Dr Peace Ighosevwe demonstrating the use of the newborn screening equiptment to His Excelency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State.

FREE GRASSROOTS MEDICAL OUTREACH

- A Journey of a Thousand Sights

According to global estimates, visual impairment has been on the increase. The World Health Organization estimates that millions of people are visually impaired while some are born blind.

In 2018, the Free Grassroots Medical Outreach was initiated in Collaboration with Restore Sight Africa and the Delta

State Ministry of Health. The program ran in the 25 local government areas of the state bringing succour to 26,304 patients.

In identifying with this growing global burden, the O5 Initiative in 2021 carried out another Free Grassroots Medical Outreach using the three Senatorial districts in Delta State as a platform.

World Sickle Cell Day 2021

2022 World Sickle Cell Day Celebration.

The eye is the light of the body

STATISTICS

VENUE OF NO. OF PERSONS NO. OF PERSONS NO. OF PERSONS TOTAL NUMBER OF OUTREACH GIVEN EYE GLASSES TREATED WITH SURGICALLY PERSONS SEEN EYEDROPS TREATED

RESULTS

497 Surgeries

3,030 Reading glasses

1,998 Eye drops.

Total patients seen 5,519

In 2022 the aim was to have a wider reach to meet the health care needs of Deltans. It afforded the opportunity to attend to children with visual impairments.

STATISTICS

JOYFUL SCENES FROM OF THE FREE GRASSROOTS MEDICAL OUTREACH

THE SOUTHERN GOVERNOR’S WIVES WERE ALSO PART OF THE FREE GRASSROOTS MEDICAL OUTREACH

MARTERNAL AND CHILDREN MICRO SUPPLEMENTATION PROGRAM

The Maternal and Children Micro Nutrient Supplementation and Mass D-worming program is an event that reinforced the commitment of the Health needs of Deltans.

The O5 Initiative and the Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency collaborated to improve the nutritional status of pregnant Women and Children

in the State.

As the Nutrition Ambassador of the State, Dame Okowa said the interest of the present administration towards ensuring sound health for all Deltans necessitated the gesture and advised the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity to improve their health by eating balanced diet.

Dame Edith Okowa supervising the intake of the multivitamins

Presentation of the medication to Her Excellency

Cross session of guests at the occassion

ORPHAN AGE

The care of Orphans is of immense importance to the O5 Initiative, we have worked with Care Givers in registered Orphanages across the state. We attended regularly to the needs of children at the orphanages.

In the area of feeding , over 1000 Orphans are annually catered for in the 50 registered orphanages in the state.

This is besides the four adopted families.

Annually, Cheques are presented to selected Orphanages from the three senatorial districts by Zenith bank to celebrate the birthday of the Governor also cash donations are given to all the Orphanages during the Christmas season.

Presentation of cash to the caregiver in charge of PROLABORE DEI.

Presentation of cheques to care givers

PRISONS OUT REACH

Dame Edith Okowa made it a point of duty over the years to celebrate her birthday with inmates of the Correctional Centres in the state. She deemed it important to carry out free medical

outreaches and give medications to inmates.

Also seminars on drug abuse were carried out in the five Correctional Centres in the State.

Aerial view of food stuffs given to the Orphanages

Correctional Centre Clinic Ogwashi Uku

Mrs Odibo and the inmates at the Sapele correctional centre

MOTHERS ARISE

Dame Edith Okowa gathered christian women annually from different denominations to pray for their families, the state and the Nation.

This event usually held on the 2nd of February every year with different themes.

2016 - THE POWER OF SPOKEN WORD Numbers 14:28

2017 - CAN GOD DEPEND ON YOU?

Judges 4:1-24

2018 - BROKENESS; NEEDFUL FOR A CLOSER WALK WITH GOD John 12:24

2019 - THY WILL OH LORD Matthew 26:39

2020 - THE ENEMY WITHIN

Proverbs 25:4

2021 - FAITH ALL SEASONS

I Corinthians 15:58

2022 - BREAKING THE CYCLE OF DESTRUCTION

Psalm 144:7-8, 11-12

2023 - STEWARDSHIP

1 Corinthians 4:1- 2

“Nothing is too minor to bring before God, tell Him everything”

DAME EDITH OKOWA

Rt Hon. Joan Onyemaechi and the inmates at the Ogwashiuku Correctional Centre.

MOTHERS ARISE 2023 GRAND FINALE FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION

The program which featured intercessory prayers for the Nation, Delta State, families, the youth and the forth coming Election was the last for this administration.

Speaking on the theme STEWARDSHIP, the wife of the Governor and convener Dame Edith Okowa said that everyone will give account of their service irrespective of position or location on the last day, stressing

that faithfulness was required of every steward. While stressing that as believers we should be led by the spirit of God. Dame Okowa charged all to seek the will of God before embarking on a project adding that God’s grace makes the difference in the life of a true believer.

The atmosphere was charged as the popular gospel artiste Mercy Chinwo thrilled the congregation with soul lifting song

Couples Forum

The International Day of the family is celebrated by the O5 Initiative every year. It is an occasion where couples from all walks of life gather together to celebrate and listen to wise counsel from different speakers they also share ideas on how to lead successful family life.

These were the themes for each year

Healthy Family breeds Healthy Society -

2016

Families as Nation Builders - 2016

Contemporary family Issues and God’s Counsel for Marriage - 2017

NAKED and Not Ashamed - 2018

The Cross, the Answer - 2019

God’s Original Plan for Marriage -2020

The Home and the Mystery of Unity- 2021

Integrity in Marriage - 2022

Discussants during different editions

Excellency Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and his wife Dame Edith, Chief Lawrence Osiegbu and his wife

Beautiful Dance Step By Dame Okowa And Mrs Oborevwori

A cross session of guests

O5 KITCHEN

The O5 Initiative through the O5 kitchen feeds over 2000 children to mark the International Children’s Day.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CHARITY

The 5th of September every year is tagged the International Day of Charity by the United Nations.

The O5 Initiative celebrated each year in different ways by visiting camps and settlements. They distributed clothes, house hold and food items. Payment of hospital bills at the Federal Medical Centre Asaba (FMC) and the Asaba Specialist Hospital (ASH); Borehole projects were inaugurated in some camps.

The O5 team went round the eight Ex leprosy settlements (Ossiomo, Eku, Ibrede,Jeddo, Ayakoromo, Aboh Ogwashi and Okwage) within and outside the state with food items and clothing.

In addition to the bills paid for indigent patients at the hospital, the sum of N1 million was given to one Mrs Ufuoma, a female tricycle operator (Keke rider), whose husband abandoned with two children.

Mr. Lucky Monday whose wife delivered a set of triplets also received half a million naira.

While the beneficiaries expressed their gratitude, Dame Okowa in her concluding statement had said, “I am happy and hopeful that these ones who have been shown love will tell their stories from an advantaged position and not from a position of pain and disadvantage”.

Inauguration Of Obioma Camp Water Project/ Community Impact

Community Impact at Mile 5

Dame Okowa handing over food items to officials incharge of the ex lepers.

....AND THE FLOODS CAME

Flood, a natural disaster leaving devastating effects across the world, felt in Nigeria and dragging its woes through the riverbanks of Delta State down to the Atlantic. The effects of these annual flooding are eroded with magical wand of limitless charity, leading this rescue mission was the O5 Initiative.

Smiling faces, joyful moments and happy hearts, bubbled through the various Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps immediately the train of the O5 Initiative berthed- which is always the first charity organization to visit flood victims across the state and beyond.

Since its establishment in 2015, Dame

Okowa’s O5 Initiative just as the Northern Star, was consistent in giving succour to flood victims with messages of hope, gifting of various food stuff, clothes, household items and cash to enable them quickly reintegrate into a happy life.

Through sustained support of her partners, the O5 Initiative reached over 5,000 families across the three senatorial districts affected by flood.

The O5 Initiative powerfully driven by prayers and riding on the mantra of Matthew 24:35-36, had been supportive to the SMART and STRONGER Agenda of the Governor Okowa’s led-government by reaching out to the grassroots in the state.

OGBE-AFOR AND ONNE IDP CAMPS

EWULU IDP CAMP

SUCCOUR TO FLOOD VICTIMS IN BAYELSA

FOOD ITEMS SENT TO ABOH, PATANI AND BURUTU FLOOD VICTIMS

Food items for Burutu Flood Victims

Governor Douye Diri and his wife, Dame Edith Okowa and Mrs Betsy Obaseki.

Symbolic presentationof food items

Dame Edith Okowa addressing the women of Bayelsa

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM ( CAMPAIGN AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE)

Globally, one in every three women or girls experienced violence in their life time, and every three hours, one of them does not survive the trauma.

It is against this backdrop that the

campaign supported by the United Nations began on 25th November, 1991.

The O5 Initiative in conjunction with other Non Governmental Organizations organized rallies and seminars to create awareness on the need to stop all forms of

INTERACTIVE SESSION WITH WIVES OF TRADITIONAL RULERS

The annual Interactive session by the wife of the Governor Dame Edith Okowa with wives of Traditional Rulers over the years served as a platform to meet and greet, discuss burning issues and present gifts to Queen Mothers in the various Kingdoms of the state.

PROVISION FOR INDIGENT WOMEN

Yearly, in the spirit of the yuletide season, the wife of state Governor and founder, 05 Initiative Dame Edith Okowa in her usual way presented food items to indigent women in the state.

Since inception, A total of 2,500 women were empowered annually.The women were reached through the Chairpersons

and women leaders in their various areas. In2022, Dame Okowa reached out to the 2,900 indigent women in the 29 constituencies through the state House of Assembly members and the candidates for the 2023 elections.

In eight years, 23,650 indigent women benefited.

FOOD ITEMS FOR INDIGENT WOMEN

Dame Edith Okowa with PDP candidates for the State House Of Assembly

BABY OF THE YEAR

As the tradition of Wives of Governors in the Country, Dame Edith Okowa visited the hospital every first day of the year to rejoice with families whose babies arrive at mid night.

Over the years, the Federal Medical

Centre Asaba, the Asaba Specialist Hospital and Central Hospital Agbor were the points of reference. Its also served as a time to identify with the first child of the year while also offsetting the medical bills of indigent mothers.

CHILDREN’S END OF YEAR PARTY

The Christmas celebration is a season that every child looked forward to in Delta state. Every year the wife of the Governor Dame Edith Okowa hosted children drawn from the 25 LGAs to a party.

The party is usually marked with dancing competition, different cartoon characters on display and plenty of food to eat and drink; beautiful gifts are shared and the children had lots of memories to share.

Dame Edith Okowa and the children cutting the christmas cake

Appreciation

On behalf of the O5 Initiative, I wish to express my profound gratitude to all our donors for their generous financial assistance. Since 2015, you have consistently supported the O5 Initiative in cash and kind, making sure our programmes were faithfully and successfully implemented.

We could not have achieved much without you. Indeed, my heart overflows with joy and gratitude to you all for bringing smiles to the faces of thousands of people whose lives were positively transformed through our various outreaches.

Permit me to single out a few persons for recognition. First, is my husband, Governor Ifeanyichukwu Okowa whose encouragement, advice, and financial contribution provided a launching pad for the vision. Thank you, my dear husband, for believing in me and the vision God has given me.

I thank Mr. Jim Ovia, Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc for his steadfast support and generosity. Thank you, sir, for adding great value to all our programmes.

Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie, Chairman of Rainoil has remained a strong pillar of support. I appreciate your love for, and belief in the 05 Initiative.

Our partnership with the NGOs was very significant and brought so much joy to many. I thank the Restore Sight Africa Initiative under the leadership of Dr Ernest Ogbedo who travelled round the state to help restore sight to the blind through surgeries and free distribution of eye glasses. I also thank Dr Clement Isibor for bolstering our efforts to improve the condition of those living with the sickle cell disorder.

My prayer for all our donors/supporters is that God will abundantly reward you for your labour of love in giving back to the society. As the Sacred Writ assures, I trust God that you will keep moving from one level of glory to another. God bless you all.

Dame Edith Okowa Founder, 05 Initiative