Obaseki, Speaker, others for inauguration of Uhiele community centre

169 households to benefit from Edo-Cares Grants
Uhiele community in Esan West Council, Ekpoma, Edo State, has finalised preparations for the commissioning and handing over of its multi-million ultra-modern community and development centre.

The centre consists of a multi-purpose hall, offices for two community-based non-governmental agencies, Uhiele Development Forum (UDF) and Ukpoke Area Development Foundation (UADF), a boardroom and an office complex for the community vigilante group.

Chevalier Charles Osezua, an engineer, and his wife, Lady Gloria, sponsored the centre.

Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, is scheduled to grace the ceremony on October 6 as special guest of honour, while other dignitaries, including the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Marcus Onobun, government officials, notable sons and daughters of Uhiele, friends and well-wishers, would also attend the occasion at Ukpoke, the traditional headquarters of Uhiele.

Chief Francis Ehiamen Ulinfun, an academic, philanthropist, community leader and politician will chair the occasion, while the chief host will be Odionwele of Uhiele, Pa. Andrew Osewele Ekpenwele, who would be supported by seven odionweles.

The commissioning would be preceded by thanksgiving mass at the Catholic Church of Nativity of Mary and blessing of the centre by the Bishop of Uromi Diocese, Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, on Wednesday, October 5.

The programme would also provide a platform for the people to celebrate their history and heritage and raise funds for infrastructural development.

Sir Osezua recalls that the development of the modern community centre followed series of concerns by Uhiele sons and daughters on the pitiable state of the Uhiele Town Hall, and the call for intervention by sons and daughters.

Accordingly, the sponsor had a meeting with the Odionwele of Ukpoke, who also doubles as the Odionwele of Uhiele, in January 2022 to discuss the possibility of not only rebuilding the hall, but also elevating it into a modern centre with a multipurpose hall, offices and boardroom.

The sponsor said: “During the meeting, in accepting our proposal, the Odionwele prayerfully said, “My son, if you can do this, it will be to my honour, you would have removed reproach from us all. Ukpoke is the headquarters of Uhiele, where the elders and people meet on important occasions; rebuilding it will indeed restore our heritage.”

MEANWHILE, no fewer than 169 Individuals from vulnerable households were trained, yesterday, in Benin City to benefit from the Nigeria CARES (COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (N-CARES), code-named EDO-CARES) Grants in Edo.

Mrs Ifueko Alufohai, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Humanitarian Affairs, said this during a one-day livelihood support training and orientation organised by the State Cash Transfer Unit (SCTU), explaining that the beneficiaries would be given grants ranging from N20,000 to N200,000.

Alufohai explained that the N-CARES was an emergency Relief World Bank funded Programme put in place to ameliorate the adverse effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on livelihoods, especially of the operators of businesses in the informal sector.

The Head, State Cash Transfer Unit, Flora Bossey, in her welcome address said the programme was designed for economically active Youth and women.

Mrs Precious Osunde, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the state government for the kind gesture and promised to expand her business with the grant.