THEEE Initiative Empowers Over 1, 000 Widows, Orphans in Enugu

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu

No fewer than one thousand, physically challenged, widows and orphans have been empowered by a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) known as Target Health Education and Economic Empowerment Initiative (THEEE INITIATIVE) in Enugu state, Orient Daily reports.

The programme designed as an intervention for the poor and downtrodden in the society was offered by an Oversea based philanthropist and illustrious son, Mr. Victor Obi Anadiume and his wife Lady U Obi Anadiume through a non- governmental organization he established in 2008, THEEE Initiative.

The beneficiaries which comprises of  widows, widowers, indigents, orphans and physically challenged persons in Enugu Akwu Achi, in Orji - River, Enugu state benefited bags of rice, tomatoes,  wrapper and cash gifts from the organization.

Speaking at the occasion, Engr Darlington Anyalebechi from Enugwuakwu - achi in Orji River Local Government Area said it has been a tradition in the town to celebrate widows' day at the Eze Obi Anadiume's compound. He described him as a philanthropist who according to him is always thinking about the good of the people and always taking care of the people. 

" it is not only the widows that benefit from the programme, he does it for the widows, widowers, indigent and people who could not afford a meal everyday.  He gave materials like rice, clothes, money, drugs  and  even give to people who are having serious problem in the village, he does it twice every year."

 One of the beneficiaries, Catherine Akam from Umungbu  said that she has been benefitting from the programme for the past ten years  even as she claimed that the gift from organization during the pandemic helped cushion the impact of the  lockdown on her family because the organization came to their rescue through donation of food items.

Also, Prince Nnaemeka Anyanebechi who is the commander General of Oji River Neighbourhood Watch while praying for the sponsor of the project said that God should prolong the life of the philanthropist so that the less privileged in the community could continue to benefit from his benevolence.

He said that the project is unique in the sense that the donor has been consistent in his efforts to help people of the community adding that he has not experienced such elsewhere . He said that the project has been ongoing annually for years even as he urged the organization to continue so that the poor and needy would always pray for him.

Another beneficiary, Clementina Unigwe  from Obiagu Umueze  disclosed that among the items she benefited were rice, tomatoes, piece of wrapper and even cash gift adding that it is always a thing of joy to her to benefit from the poverty alleviation programme  even as she prayed for  God's blessings and protection of the benefactor's family asking God sustain his humanitarian services.

In addition, Mrs Ngozi Uzomechina from Amaetiti Akwuachi said that the philanthropist through his organization has saved lives of the people for the past eleven years through his social intervention to the people of the community.

While lauding the philanthropist for the years of support to the widows and orphans and  marginalised people of the community, she  added that it has been eleven years they benefited from his philanthropic gesture  noting that Mr. Victor Anadiume came to the rescue of the community during the COVID-19 lockdown to help cushion the effects of the lockdown on his people.

Speaking at the event, the Chairperson of THEEE Initiative Management Committee, Mrs Ifeoma Anyalebechi said that the organization has since its establishment empowered over 15,000, fifteen thousand beneficiaries in various ways including distribution of  Christmas to widows and orphans, sponsoring medical treatment, security, provision of social amenities among others.

She maintained that THEEE Initiative is strictly a non- profit  making organization that was established in 2008 by Mr. Victor Obi Anadiume and wife Lady U Obi Anadiume to help the poor and downtrodden in the society.

She hinted that the establishment of the organization was necessitated by the alarming  rate of poverty and penury situation within the host communities, adding that the Executive Chairman and sponsor of the annual programme, Mr. Victor Obi Anadiume , and wife Lady U Obi Anadiume have an ambition to assuage the growing menace of poverty in the society.

Earlier, Reverend Ugwaegbunam  of St. Mattiah's Anglican church, Enugu Akwu in his commendation speech lauded the benefactor for his gifts despite the travails of  the nations across the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic that came with the year and other challenges.

He enjoined people to embrace love of God quoting the holy scripture as recorded in Revelation 13, he  said that what is happening in the world today even the  COVID-19 and its vaccines should encourage Christians to be fervent in the study of the word of God.

Posted By Izunna Okafor