CHIEF KALIKU DEDICATES EVENT CENTRE, DIALYSIS CENTRE TO COMMUNITY
By Nicholas Ebegboni
Chief Edwin Kaliku an Agbor indigene based in the United States of America has established and dedicated and an event centre and dialysis centre to Agbor community.
This was made known to newsmen during the official opening ceremony of Kaliku Villa Hall on Sunday, April 16, 2023, along Orikeze Avenue, Ime-Obi, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The official opening ceremony was performed by His Royal Majesty, Dr. Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi 1, the Dein of Agbor, who was represented by Chief Kester Otebor the Dein Ka Ma of Agbor.
In his speech, Chief Dr. Edwin Kaliku, the Egbe Dein Of Agbor and the Chief Executive Officer, of Kaliku Event Center, said, “I want to thank our King, the Dein of Agbor Kingdom for encouraging me to put up this edifice, if not for him, this establishment would not have been here.”
Continuing, he noted that if he had not put up this edifice, he would not have been able to give back to society as he announced that both the event center and the dialysis center are dedicated to Agbor community.
He said a committee to be headed by Dan Osifoh of Onu Ika would be set up to manage the event center and dialysis center with twenty percent of proceeds realised going to charity, pointing out that he does not need a kobo from whatever proceeds from the event center while adding that patients who come to the dialysis center but cannot afford the services would be treated for free.
Speaking further, he narrated how he went to Asaba for dialysis and met a young man from Ika who had kidney problems and died as a result of not having money for dialysis treatment. According to him this encounter gave birth to the vision for the dialysis center, adding that he initially intended to use the building which currently housed the dialysis center for a hotel, but after what he experienced in Asaba, he had to convert it to a dialysis center.
Chief Kaliku affirmed that, “Agbor is my home and it is a place to be. There is no place like home. God has used me to bless a lot of people. I am donating this edifice and dialysis center to our community. I want Elder Dan Usifo, Mr. Steve Ashien, Joe Morgan, and others to manage the donated establishment. I don’t intend to benefit anything from here. It is strictly for our people.”
In response, Chief Tony Egwu lauded the kindness of the donor, saying that it is the first of its kind in Agbor Kingdom. He assured Chief Kaliku that they will keep to his wish and do accordingly.
Dignitaries present at the event include Dein of Agbor Kingdom ably represented by Chief Kester Utebor, Chief Patrick Nwaonisha the Ojeyange of Agbor, Chief Gideon Opia-Okobia the Ajeh of Agbor, Chief Benjamin Ogwun, Oku Dein Wu ukpe of Agbor, Chief Elder John Ehikwe, Mr. Steve Ashien, Elder Dan Usifo, Mr. Vincent Arimokwu, Joe Morgan, Hon. Fred Ofume, Kaliku family, Ekpenisi family, and Ulebor family and other personalities