Emeka Ozumba

Ebelechukwu Obiano, Anambra's First Lady of the Grassroots Emeka Ozumba

This biographical work captures the early life and attributes of the charity work of the wife of Governor of Anambra State, Her Excellency, Dr Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano (Osodieme), under the platform of her Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ).

The book is the author's understanding of her passion, dedication, and enduring role in promoting democratic ideals and participation of women in politics and development. With denial of the rights of women and the less privileged as issues on the front burner of the development of democracy in Nigeria and the world over, any work that protects and promotes them is encouraged.

Until the coming to power of Chief Willie Obiano in Anambra in 2014, rights of women, children and the less privileged were almost non-existent. This book offers an insight into Mrs. Obiano's active involvement in charity work as a private citizen and as the First Lady of Anambra state and how she was able to positively alter the narrative of governance through her CAFÉ, NGO.

In discussing her passion for charity, the author attempts a review of the activities of CAFÉ, how Osodieme used it to take as many mentally-challenged persons off the streets for rehabilitation before reuniting them with their families, building free houses for indigent widows, gift of prosthetic legs for the limbless as well as its pan Nigerian disposition.

The chapter on Passionate Advocate of Inclusive Politics, x-rays the trend in global advancement and how Mrs. Obiano, undeterred by primordial challenges, championed the issue of women's participation in politics and development. She led the change in the advocacy even in remote riverine areas of Anambra State during her husband's campaign stumps and other women were swayed.

The author surmises that Mrs. Obiano earned the title of Anambra State's First Lady of the Grassroots by crisscrossing all the cardinal points of the state, touching lives, and passionately assisting the needy. This is evident in the testimonies of beneficiaries as well as her support for her husband in ensuring that the United Nation's quota for women in public office is adhered to, even surpassed in Anambra State.

I can attest to the positive impact of CAFÉ programmes, having collaborated with the NGO in advocacy for persons living with Sickle Cell Disease.

I am aware that leading a revolution almost always attracts motley darts from the opposition, especially in this age of the social media, but Mrs. Obiano's charity work in relation to her predecessors and first ladies elsewhere in the country, is outstandingly phenomenal and I dare add, commendable. I have no doubt that these achievements will always speak for her.

This book addresses the sustainability of her NGO programmes after her tour of duty as the First Lady of Anambra State and clears all doubts with the high level of local participation and interest in the projects, especially amongst women.

This is a must read if one wishes to evolve as a trailblazer in given back to the community and elevate the lives of vulnerable people in our society.
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