Benin royal family has unveiled the Oloi Evbagharu Erediauwa Foundation (OLEEF) aimed at assisting indigent students in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
The foundation, which was unveiled on Wednesday, promised to assist each student with N100,000 scholarship, as well as disclosed plans to establish a skill acquisition centre for women at Amagba, a suburb of Benin City.
The foundation, a non-profit organisation, was established in memory of Oloi Evbagaru Janet Erediauwa, the Queen Consort of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba Erediauwa, Oba of Benin, who joined her ancestors in 2016.
Speaking at the formal launching of the foundation, a member of the board of trustees and husband of the first daughter of Queen Erediauwa, Sylvester Ebhodaghe, said the initiative was aimed at remembering the memory of the queen, a cheerful giver who identified with the less privileged during her lifetime.
Ebhodaghe assured that plans are in the pipeline to expand the scholarship scheme, which has beneficiaries from the three senatorial districts of Edo South, Central and North.
According to him, the initiative was aimed at providing financial aid, primary healthcare support and educational opportunities for Nigerian children and youths, especially those that may not have the adequate social or economic status to fulfill their academic and vocational dreams.
Chairman of Board of Trustees of OLEEF, Mrs.Joyce Ojemudia, added that as a people’s queen, Oloi Erediauwa, in her life time did so much for God as a believer and humanity, noting that her legacies must not be allowed to die.
Ojemudia said the family is determined to keep her legacies alive through education and healthcare for the community.
She said: “All of us know as parents that education is so vital in the life of any child. We are here to sponsor and partner with the foundation. We have a lot of projects to be done, as no child should be denied education.
“The foundation will do everything to make sure that we give education to every child in our space of contact.
“All it will take to achieve this is cooperation and that is why I said that sponsorship is not enough. I believe that many people here will partner with us to take this laudable venture to a greater height.”
On his part, Former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Kingsley Otuaro, said the departed wife of the Benin monarch lived a life of service to God and humanity, stressing that the foundation was set up to honour her passion for the people.
