The Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Ohio Chapter, North America, on Monday deepened its commitment through community development, donated medical equipment to Central Hospital, Sapele, empowering widow with grinding machine, cash gift and food items, Smart TV and other items worth millions of Naira to Merciful Orphanage Home, Oghara, Ethiope West local government area of Delta State.
The outreach, which forms part of activities preceding the UPU North America 33rd Annual Convention, drew commendation from the President-General of UPU Worldwide, Olorogun Ese Gam, who described the initiative as a shining example of service to humanity and love for the Urhobo nation.
Addressing members of the UPU Ohio, North America, during the presentations, Olorogun Gam praised members of the UPU Ohio Chapter for travelling more than 6,000 miles from the United States of America to personally execute the projects, urging other Urhobo organisations and individuals to emulate their spirit of giving.
According to him, the humanitarian gestures reflect the ideals upon which the UPU was founded, stressing that genuine service is measured by impact rather than wealth.
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The President of the UPU Ohio Chapter, Olorogun Dr. (Mrs.) Louisa Oyoyo Ukochovwera, said the intervention was conceived to improve healthcare delivery and also to provide sustainable economic and support for vulnerable members of the society.
While presenting a grinding machines and cash gift to the widow, Olorogun Dr. (Mrs.) Ukochovwera said the beneficiaries were being equipped with tools to earn a living with dignity rather than being offered temporary relief.
She announced the launch of the UPU Ohio Widows Empowerment Initiative, explaining that the programme would focus on creating lasting economic opportunities for widows through service, compassion and self-reliance. She also challenged other UPU chapters in North America to empower at least 10 widows before the next annual convention.
Dr. (Mrs.) Ukochovwera said the chapter, which has more than 74 financial members, remained committed to giving back to Urhobo communities despite being based overseas, expressing optimism that the medical equipment donated to Central Hospital, Sapele, would enhance healthcare services.
Items presented to the Sapele hospital, Merciful Orphanage Home Oghara, and the Widow includes; modern hospital beds, medical regulators, hospital bed sheets, pillows, washing machine, wheelchairs, refrigerator, Television and GOtv, Stretchers, Examination Tables and more.
Others food items includes Cartons of indomie, bags of rice and beans, grinding machine, cash gift of hundred thousand to the widow and other items worth millions of Naira during UPU Ohio, North America to Sapele Hospital, Orphanage Home Oghara and others.
Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area, Hon. Bright Abeke, represented by the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Overah Raymond, described the intervention as a welcome contribution to government efforts to improve healthcare and social welfare. He noted that the gesture demonstrated that Nigerians in the diaspora continue to play a vital role in the development of their communities.
Also speaking, Hon. Austin Ayemidejor said the outreach reflected genuine compassion and would positively impact healthcare services, widows and disadvantaged children. He encouraged other philanthropists and community organisations to partner with government in addressing pressing social challenges.
Receiving the equipment on behalf of Central Hospital, Sapele, the Zonal Medical Director, Dr. Mrs. Owobu Ufuoma, a Consultant Family Physician, expressed appreciation to the donors, describing the intervention as both timely and significant.
She disclosed that many of the donated items were among the hospital’s priority needs, while additional equipment not originally requested was also provided.
According to her, the donation would improve service delivery at the hospital, which serves as a secondary healthcare facility and referral centre for Sapele and neighbouring communities, adding that partnerships with organisations such as the UPU Ohio Chapter remain essential because government cannot meet all healthcare needs alone.
The humanitarian outreach also saw the donation of food items, a television set, decoder and other materials to the Merciful Orphanage Home, Oghara. The items were presented on behalf of the chapter by Olorogun Dr. Felix Okpe.
Other members of the UPU Ohio delegation were Olorogun Dr. Felix Okpe, Olorogun Augustina Ufuoma Scot and Dr. Ovie Fred Okotie, who joined the chapter’s President on the visit to Delta State as part of activities leading to the UPU North America 33rd Annual Convention, themed, “Urhobo Global Impact: Leadership, Legacy and Prosperity.”
