Wife of Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff, CDS and the current President, Defence and Police Officers Wives’ Association,(DPOWA), Barr. (Mrs.) Vickie Anwuli Irabor, has built a cottage hospital for Ika people, particularly, for the people of Ute Erumu in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State.p
The hospital project was commissioned by the wife of the former governor of Delta State and Founder of the O5 Initiative, Dame Edith Okowa, on Friday May 26.
In attendance were top government officials, traditional rulers, the Obi of Ute Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Pastor Solomon Chukwuka, Dr Festus Okwubor, the mother of Barr Mrs Vickie Irabor, Mama Okwubor, Hon Anthony Elekeokwuri, Hon Chuks Agboma, Chief Frank Nwugo, clergymen, community leaders, top military officers, among others.
Speaking at the epoch event, Barr. Vickie Anwuli Irabor said she was delighted and grateful to God for the opportunity to build and donate a cottage hospital to the Delta State Government for the use of Ute-Erumu people and Ute Kingdom.
She noted that giving her people a cottage hospital will bring happiness to her community and Ute Kingdom in general.
She disclosed that the state government has assured the full functionality of the cottage hospital to enable it serve the purpose for which it was built.
While commissioning the hospital, Dame Edith Okowa poured encomiums on the donor, Barr. (Mrs.) Vickie Anwuli Irabor for her generosity towards the welfare of her people, saying that she is indeed proud of her.
Dame Okowa pointed out that the elevation and success of any man is not determined by his status, but by an instrument God wants to use to bless His people, adding that God has used Vickie Irabor to reach out to the people of Ute-Erumu and Ute Kingdom in general.
She noted that the Ute Erumu born philanthropist never forgot her land of nativity, hence, she has given back to the community that brought her to life.
According to Dame Okowa “We must know that there is no position that lasts forever, but the important thing is that what will you have to show God”.
“God has created us for two things, relationship with Him and relationship with man”.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the occasion, Hon. Tony Elekeokwuri said he is truly elated to witness such a great feat accomplished in Ute-Erumu, saying that the donor has tremendously done well for her people. He stated that building a cottage hospital in Ute Erumu is a welcome development that will serve the people well.
He used the medium to call on other well to do individuals and groups to emulate the footstep of the wife of the CDS and ensure that they replicate same, saying that it must not be a hospital.
High points of the event were the official commissioning of the cottage hospital by Dame Edith Okowa, brief tour of the facilities and taking of group photographs.