3rd March, 2016
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole, wife of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Governor of Edo state, has described Nigerian children as special and always happy and full of joy, no matter the circumstance.
She gave her assessment at the launch of her pet project christened “We Care Trust” with a mission to care for underprivileged Nigerian children, where she raised over N137 million both in pledges and cash donations from donors.
Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who was represented at the occasion, was foremost among the donors.
Mrs. Oshiomhole who said she is very passionate about the needs of children said: “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. Meanwhile, these 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. 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.
“We have to start giving this love back, we have to try to get these children a better life. We have to do that together.
“So, I am asking all my friends, family members, please, help me in this. Thank you very much for listening and God bless you.”
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Governor Oshiomhole said the project is purely the initiative of his wife.
According to him, she paid a visit to some orphanages, and found that “there are a number of children who are being cared for and the terrible condition that prevail in many of the orphanages, and the fact that they don’t have 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.
“But what most people do once in a year, maybe during your birthday or something, people go to the orphanages. But 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.”