Wife of the Executive Governor of Delta State, Her Excellency, Dame, Mrs. Edith Okowa, on Friday, May 26 2023, commissioned a Cottage Hospital, built at Ute-Erumu Community in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State, by Barr. Mrs. Victoria Irabor, wife of the Chief of Defense Staff of the Nigerian Army, Gen. Leo Irabor.
Speaking shortly before the official commissioning of the project, the Governor’s wife, Dame Mrs. Edith Okowa, described Mrs. Victoria Irabor as a daughter of Ika nation, appreciating her for ensuring that such a huge hospital is built in Ute-Erumu Community.
She said Mrs. Victoria Irabor is a woman that respects the womb that brought her to this world, as she has always remembered her land of nativity growth and human capital development.
According to the Governor’s wife,” I am proud of Barr. Mrs. Victoria Irabor. So many people are elevated from one point in time or another, but most persons do not understand why God has lifted them.
Barr. Mrs. Victoria Irabor has been elevated by God and her elevation is for a purpose which is to serve God and humanity.
We should try to understand that our upliftment is not because of what we are, but because of what God wants us to be to Himself and to humanity.
If you are given opportunity to serve in any political position, be transparent, serve with the fear of God, in truth and in spirit so that you will at the end of your tenure, have something tangible to be remembered for,” she said.
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Continuing, she stated that she is very excited to be the one commissioning the project, because according to her the hospital will serve not only the people of Ute-Erumu Community, but the entire residents of Ika North-East Constituency.
Speaking earlier in her address, the donor, Barr. Mrs. Victoria Irabor, welcomed the Obi of Ute kingdom and his chiefs, wife of the Governor and her entourages, the Ayuwe of Ute-Erumu Community and all those who graced the occasion.
She appreciated all NAOWA, NOWA, NAFOWA, POWA and all top Military and Police Officers Wives there present. She specially thanked her mother, Dame Mrs. Grace Chiyere Okubor for giving birth to her and for her moral upbringing.
She stated that she is delighted and grateful to Almighty God for giving her the strength and resources to build and donate a multimillion naira Cottage Hospital to the Delta State Government For the use and benefits of Ute-Erumu Community her village and its environs, Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State.
She said the idea to start the hospital project was conceived in consultation with the Governor’s wife, Dame Mrs. Edith Okowa, due to the fact that her husband, His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is a trained Medical Doctor and has carried out many countless health projects in the State.
Speaking further, she disclosed that the execution of the project was made possible for her due to the fact that she come from a family that knows and understands the importance and implications of health. She said her mother, Dame Mrs. Grace Chiyere Okubor is a retired Nurse and two of her siblings are also Medical Doctors.
She encouraged the members to make judicious use of the facilities of the Hospital, assuring that by the special grace of God, she will extend more meaningful projects to the Community.
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Speaking in a brief interview with Ika Weekly Newspaper Reporter, His Royal Majesty, Pastor Solomon Chukwuka 1, the Obi of Ute kingdom prayed God to continue to bless Mrs. Victoria Irabor with all her heart desires.
He stated that he is happy because he has been praying for such a hospital project to be sited in his kingdom saying that, today it has come to reality. He called on other sons and daughters of Ute kingdom to emulate Barr. Mrs. Victoria Irabor so that Ute Communities will be developed.
Also speaking, the member representing Ika North-East Constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Anthony Emeke Elekeokwuri, described philanthropic gesture as a spiritual factor that requires,” Give and Take” phenomenon. He noted that it has been designed by God that a giver never lack.
He thanked the donor, Mrs. Victoria Irabor for complementing the efforts of the Government. He assured to that the State will partner with the Cottage Hospital in ensuring that its facilities are put into effective usage.
By Sunday Memeh
As part of her humanitarian strides, the current President of Defence and Police Officers Wives’ Association (DPOWA), Barr. (Mrs.) Vickie Anwuli Irabor, wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, has built a cottage hospital for the people of Ute Erumu in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State.
The hospital project was commissioned by the wife of the former Governor of Delta State and Founder of O5 Initiative, Dame Edith Okowa, on Friday May 26, 2023.
The auspicious occasion was witnessed by top government functionaries, traditional rulers, including the obi of Ute Kingdom, HRM, Obi Pastor Solomon Chukwuka, and ministers of God.
In her welcome speech, the donor of the cottage hospital and wife of Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Barr. (Mrs.) Vickie Anwuli Irabor said she is delighted and grateful to God for the opportunity to build and donate a cottage hospital to the Delta State Government for the use of Ute-Erumu people and Ute Kingdom.
Barr (Mrs.) Irabor noted that giving her people a cottage hospital will bring happiness to her community in particular and Ute Kingdom in general.
She disclosed that the state government has assured of the full functionality of the cottage hospital to serve the purpose for which it was built.
While commissioning the cottage hospital, Dame Edith Okowa wife of the outgoing governor, Dr. Ifeanyi okowa heaped praise on Barr. (Mrs.) Vickie Anwuli Irabor for her generosity and welfare of her people, saying that she is indeed proud of her.
She explained that the elevation and success of any man is not determined by his status, but an instrument God wants to use to bless His people, noting that God has used Barr. (Mrs.) Irabor to reach out to the people of Ute-Erumu and Ute Kingdom in general.
Dame Okowa added that the Ute Erumu born philanthropist never forgot her land of nativity, hinting that she has given back to the society that brought her to life.
In her words, “We must know that there is no position that lasts forever, but the important thing is what will you have to show God” that you have done for people.
“God has created us for two things, relationship with Him and relationship with man”.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the occasion, Hon. Tony Elekeokwuri said he is truly elated to witness a huge feat accomplished in Ute-Erumu, saying that the donor has tremendously done well for her people.
Hon. Elekeokwuri affirmed that building a cottage hospital in Ute Erumu is a welcome development, hinting that it will serve the people well.
He urged other well to do individual and groups to emulate the footstep of Barr. (Mrs.) Irabor and ensure that they replicate same, saying that it must not be a hospital.
By Amos Chukwuekwu