By Iroroh Frank
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Health Monitoring, Dr. Michael Nwoko, has congratulated the first lady of Delta State, Her Excellency, Dame Edith Okowa on the occasion of her 59th birthday anniversary and commended her for her indelible contributions to humanity.
In a congratulatory message released through his media assistants, Dr Nwoko described the first lady as a loving wife and mother, whose peaceful, caring, resourceful, humanitarian public health deposition, has enabled Deltans to enjoy the leadership of a perfect family that care for the wellbeing of the people.
The SSA described the adorable wife of the Governor, as the heroine of the global fight for the elimination of Sickle Cell Anaemia and commended her for her remarkable contributions towards the eradication of the disease in the state and throughout the country.
The congratulatory message reads in part, ‘on behalf of my family, friends and political associates, I want to congratulate the first family of our great State, Delta State on this unique day of the 59th birthday anniversary of our first lady, Her Excellency, Dame Edith Okowa, the adorable wife of our amiable Governor.’
‘There is no doubt that her loving, caring, resourcefulness and peaceful disposition as a wife and mother, has enable Deltans to enjoy the leadership of perfect couple who cares for the wellbeing of the people.’
‘Her Excellency’s concern for the plight of Sickle Cell anaemia patients and her philosophy on public service, is well articulated in her famous quote, “I am not expecting you to change the world; all I ask is that you change the world of one person; do that and you would have accomplished a world of good.”
This popular quote can only come from a woman with unfiltered love and concern for the wellbeing of the people.’
“Of course, this statement is not a mere empty rhetoric, as Her Excellency did marched her words with actions.
In her dogged fight to eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia in Delta State vis-a-vis globally, Her Excellency, through her 05 Initiative Foundation, embarked on so many far reaching projects aimed at managing, curing and complete elimination of Sickle Cell Anaemia in Delta State and by extension globally. Some of these projects have benefited and are still benefiting so many Deltans.’
‘Some of the laudable Sickle Cell Anaemia projects executed by Her Excellency, through her 05 Initiative Foundation was a Sickle Cell Referral Centre built and equipped by the Foundation and handed over to the Specialist Hospital Asaba.
The World class facility, brings the number of such facilities the Foundation has built to 13 across the State. These include similar facilities at Orerokpe Ughelli, Otu Jeremi, Oleh, Kwale, Patani, Sapele, Eku, Koko, Agbor, Umunede and Issele-Uku.’
‘In addition to the provision of these facilities, the 05 Initiative is a leading voice in advocating for more comprehensive research on ways to permanently eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia globally.’
‘On Friday 20th September 2019, Her Excellency, led members of the Foundation on a road walk in major streets in Asaba, the State capital. The road walk tagged “Match For Sickle Cell Anaemia” was to create public awareness to find ways of tackling endemic problems like the Sickle Cell Anaemia.
The present global coronavirus pandemic, vindicated her advocacy for a need for public rally and sensitisation as a means to educate the people on safety precautions in times of disease outbreak.’
‘On this note, on behalf of the voiceless thousands of Deltans who have benefited from Her Excellency’s humanitarian gestures, I once again congratulate her Excellency on her 59th birthday anniversary.