Caring Family Enhancement Initiative, CAFÉ, a non-Governmental organization established by Chief Dr. Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, Osodieme, on August 1, 2014, will be seven years old this year. Suffice it to say that for seven years, OSODIEME has ridden on the back of this vehicle of social justice to set a new narrative in philanthropy, charity and selfless service to humanity.
CAFE has continued to meet the most pressing needs of the vulnerable and disadvantaged citizens of the state by not only promoting and securing their access to social services but by also facilitating their integration into the social and cultural activities of humanity. Standing on the tripod of equity, justice and fairness, CAFE has, in its own way, fostered socio-economic and political development in Anambra state.
A major attestation to the reality that Osodieme is an embodiment of vision also lies in the fact that contrary to what plays elsewhere, CAFE was built and has so far been sustained as a going concern. Osodieme achieved this by strategically partnering with the State Ministry of Women Affairs, corporate organizations and some prominent Nigerians.
Today, through CAFE, Osodieme has transformed the lives of rural women, orphaned children, the down trodden, less privileged, inmates of correctional centers and persons living with disabilities.
At a time when the fallout of flooding and acts of terrorism caused mass exodus of some Nigerians from their original places of abode with attendant challenges to local economy of communities where they sought refuge, Osodieme rose to the occasion and headed straight to address the issues of basic shelter, general hygiene and food shortage in some holding camps by leading a contingent of donors to save Anambra women and children from starvation and diseases like jaundice, cholera, diarrhea and malaria.
The National Bureau of Statistics considers Anambra State one of Nigeria’s States with very minimal level of unemployment. That feat bears testimony to the effectiveness of government initiatives supported by organizations like CAFE. Osodieme has facilitated the empowerment of over 5,500 indigent women and youths via skills acquisition and trainings. She also provided start-up grants as working capital and purchase of equipment in various ventures like hair dressing, beauty therapy, fashion design, confectionery as well as community health services.
Often referred to as the best First Lady to come from Anambra State, Osodieme’s inspirational philanthropy and charity are driven by childhood upbringing and her age-long desire to share love and be a blessing towards people in need.
At Nteje, Oyi LGA, Chief Dr. Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano set up a Mentally Challenged Persons Home, equipped with skills acquisition centre and a sickbay. So far, over 100 inmates have been successfully rehabilitated and reunited with their loved ones. At Isulo, Orumba-South LGA, she rescued the School for Children with Special Needs from desolation and the children saved from what appeared to be a disastrous end.
Osodieme, via CAFÉ, procured and distributed over 2,000 prosthetic limbs and wheel chairs to physically challenged persons, irrespective of gender, religion and political inclination. This is unrivaled till date in Anambra State!
On March 4, 2020, the South East caucus of Nigeria’s movie industry, Nollywood, stood still and watched in emotions as Osodieme came through for ace actor, late Ernest Azuzu and moved him from Lagos to Awka for treatment and visited him at Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Odimegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital ward and rehabilitated him thereafter.
Her regular Local Government tours and engagements have made her the only Anambra First Lady with visibility in all localities in the state. It is therefore not surprising that CAFE has built, completed and handed over to widows over 28 self-contained, well-furnished bungalows across the state.
Having been adorned with numerous awards such as the United Nations Peace Ambassador Award; the Excellence Award from Atlanta Georgia in United States; the Primetime Reporters First Lady of the Year; the Sun Newspaper Award for the Most Supportive First Lady of the year and the Woman of Excellence Award among others, history is awash with records that Osodieme has done something differently.
WRITTEN BY IZUCHUKWU ADICHIE
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