PRESS RELEASES

25th January 2008

Poverty, ignorance, stress, frustration and lack of moral upbringing have been identified as reasons for such vices like dumping of children and indulgence in drugs which eventually lead to mental problems. The Hon.
Commissioner Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Queen Victoria Ikenchuku declared this yesterday (16-1-08) during the inspection of Government approved Orphanages and Healing Homes in Delta North. The Commissioner's first port of call was Onyekpe Philip Traditional Hospital, Oki-Agbor where the Traditional Doctor told the Commissioner that the centre currently has 59 inmates with 6 attendants. The Doctor commended the Government for showing concern over the welfare of persons with mental problems. He requested that the government through the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development grant them more Assistance by providing borehole, fencing of the hospital, stand-by generator and increase the feeding allowance of the inmates. The commissioner later inspected the facilities at the centre and also interacted with the inmates.

At St. Anthony's Orphanage, Agbor, the matron Mrs. Justina Emeri stated that the orphanage has four children. She told the commissioner that due to financial constraint, the orphanage is finding it difficult to admit more orphans. The Commissioner while inspecting the facilities. Commended the matron and requested well meaning individuals to support the orphanages since the children were mostly victims of circumstances.

The Commissioner and her entourage were also at Job's Orphanage Home, Agbor. In an address delivered by Prophet Joseph Igbodo, Proprietor of the orphanage, the orphanage took off on November 5th 2003 with two inmates and two staff in their payroll but today the Orphanage has 15 inmates. The prophet who spoke through his wife Pastor (Mrs.) Igbodo said that since the home started, six children have been given out for adoption. The Commissioner commended them and urged them not to relent in their good work.

The entourage was also at AYO BEN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, AGBOR. The Traditional Doctor, Chief Dr. Ayo Ben told the Commissioner that the home currently has 68 inmates, some of which were ready to be discharged after successful treatment. While commending the state Government for using the Ministry to care for those in need, he requested for more assistance from the government to enable the home cater for the inmates.

At our Saviour Home, Umunede, the proprietor of the Orphanage Sir (Prince) Sydney Mordi told the Commissioner that himself and his wife decided to build the Home having observed with utmost dismay, the rampant and tremendous manner innocent babies were being abandoned due to reckless immorality and scourge of poverty in Nigeria.

The proprietor further informed the Commissioner that presently two children from the orphanage, a boy and a girl are currently undergraduates of Delta State University, Abraka while another boy had already bagged N.C.E. Certificate from College of Education, Agbor.

During an interactive session with the 33 children in the home, Queen lkenchuku advised them to be obedient children and take their studies seriously and become respectable members of the society.

The tour was rounded off with the visit to Diamond Psychiatric Ultra Model Trado Medical Hospital, Ogwashi-Uku. In a welcome address, the Trado Medical Director of the Home, Chief Dr. Ogbogodor Onyelo Ogomu (JP) informed the Commissioner that the Hospital has a total of 74 inmates, including 23 female and 51 male. He said that as a preparatory measure, inmates about to be discharged were made to acquire skills in motor mechanic, hair dressing, shoe-making and building. While commending the Delta State Government and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development for the well articulated programme for the rehabilitation of inmates with mental problems, he requested the government to establish skill acquisition facilities in the Home to enable inmates learn and acquire skills to enable them fit into the society after discharge.

Speaking after the tour, Queen Victoria lkenchuku stated that she was visiting orphanages and healing homes in order to ensure that the standard set for the running of the homes were not compromised. On stigmatization of discharged inmates, the Commissioner urged relations and the society to always welcome their relatives who have successfully undergone treatment.

11th January 2008

The Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of women affairs, community and Social Development, Queen Victoria Ikenchuku has called on well meaning individuals and Co-operate bodies to Join hands with government in its avowed determination to enhance the well being of Destitutes in the State. The Commissioner made the call yesterday (10/1/08) at Ozoro while inspecting the Deliverance orphanage and Baby Cares Centre. The Commissioner, stated that children are blessings from God therefore all should contribute towards giving orphans a sense of belonging.

At God's Fount of Life Bible Church (Healing Home) Oleh, Rev. Prophet Sam Oyede told the Commissioner that the home presently has eight (8) inmates. He told the Commissioner that some have been cured of their mental illness and have been discharged. The Commissioner later interacted with some of the inmates.

The Commissioner's entourage thereafter left for Orem Faith Orphanage Afiesere where the Proprietor Rev. Anthony Ezomon told the Commissioner that the orphanage has 20 Children presently. On the triplet among the Children, the Commissioner was told that the children were brought to the orphanage Thirteen days after their delivery when they lost their mother. Queen Ikenchuku later interacted with the children at the orphanage.

The Commissioner's entourage was also at Chief Dr. Edward Ohirhan Psychiatric Trado medical healing home Okpe Olomu in Ughelli South local government Area. Dr. Ohirhan who spoke through his assistant told the Commissioner that the home has fifty three inmates and that many more are awaiting admission with the approval of the government. He requested the assistance of government through the provision of the following, water bore hole,subvention to build more wards. Beds and beddings. Fencing of the Hospital among others. The Commissioner inspected the home and interacted with the inmates.

The inspection was rounded off at the women Development Centre, Kiagbodo where the Assistant Director Women Affairs, told her that the Centre was built and donated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) last year. He stated that the Centre which is already equipped only needed logistics for the centre to take off.

Speaking after the inspection, the Commissioner stated that machineries are already in motion to put the centre to use. She expressed the hope that soon women in Kiagbodo and environs will be trained in Fashion and Designing , Catering, Soap making and Hair Dressing.

On the increasing number of mentally ill persons. Queen Ikenchuku called on parents and guardians to be more committed to the welfare of their children and wards by not only providing for them but monitor their way of life. She opined that most of the mental illness especially among our youths were as a result of indulgence in drugs and other vices inimical to their health.

Among the Commissioner's entourage were the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Vincent Edema. Mrs. Patricia Okonkwor wife of the Hon. Commissioner Special Duties, Mrs. Ruth Champion Kpateghe wife of the Hon. Commissioner Special Duties and Mrs. Stella Utiome who represented the Commissioner, Directorate of Youths.

11 December 2007

In response to the recent call made by the Hon. Comm. Ministry of Women Affairs Community and Social Development, Queen Victoria Ikenchuku to corperate bodies calling on individuals and Groups to join Hands with Government in alleviating the sufferings of the less privileged, Grace Ville International School, Asaba today (11-12-07) handed over items worth over Two hundred thousand to the ministry in support of the call.

A member of Parent Teachers Association (PTA) of the school, Mrs. Enaohwo 0. Evelyn who led the delegation told the Hon. Commissioner that the gesture has become part of their social responsibilities to the less privileged.

Handing over the items Master Femi Dagunro, Head boy of the School told the Commissioner that the school in conjunction with the Parent Teachers Association decided to donate the items which are meant for orphanages in order to show them love and give them a sense of belonging.

Responding, the Hon. Commissioner who was represented by the Director, Child Development Mr. Mathew Ukey while thanking the donors promised that the items will get to those it was meant for. The Commissioner also urged other well meaning individuals and groups to emulate the selfless service as demonstrated by Graceville International School, Asaba.

Items donated included Yams, Fruit Drinks, Beverage, Toys, and Detergent among others.