Francis Sadhere
In the spirit of Christmas season, a Non-Governmental Organization, Divine Elect Sapphires Club based in Port-Harcourt, but with branches all over the country, has donated food items, toiletries, clothing and other materials to the less privilege in Warri.
Speaking to journalists at the weekend during the donation of the items to some old people in Osubi, and Heart of Delta Orphanage home, both in Okpe and Uvwie Local Government Areas, Delta State, President of the club, Mr. Anthony Oko Ikpor called on well meaning Deltans, not to forget the less privilege in the society.
Mr. Ikpor also said the organization was established to meet the need of the less privileged and at the same time, identify and eradicate some of the societal ills present in the society.
He said; “We should not relent in rendering assistant to the needy. We should not relent in leaving a mark behind. We should not relent in sowing a seed to those who needs it. There are so many people out there that need our help. A little help here and there will wipe the tears from their eyes. Go to orphanage and widows home; a little five, ten, and twenty thousand naira will help them a lot. The message I have for Nigerians is that they should not forget the less privileged. They should identify with them and I believe that God in his wisdom will also reward then.
Mr. Ikpor explained that members of the club are professionals who contribute to the club from their resources, adding that apart from donating to the less privilege in the society, the club also has scholarship programme for children of the less privilege who are in primary and secondary school.
“We have come here to do today is an outreach to the elderly in this Osubi area to make them join us in celebration of the season. We feel we should not just eat alone but let them also partake with us. We do not just stop here, we also have scholarship for children in primary and secondary schools. We have students who are enjoying these scholarships. The funds we use to do all these come from members. All our members are professionals and as you can see everybody here is happy. Our motto is putting smiles on people’s faces. As we see these women looking happy we are satisfied because this is our own little way of contributing to the society,” he said.
Speaking further, he said; “What made us to establish this organization is the passion to reach out to the unreached because we have discovered that a lot of people are suffering out there but with just a little reach, you will put smiles on their faces and that is why we said let us make a contribution to our society, let us leave a legacy that others coming behind us will emulate.”
He said that the club was also involved in organizing empowerment programmes for the youths, stressing that until the people are transformed they cannot contribute meaningfully to society.
“We are involved in organizing empowerment seminars to empower the youths because we believe that until people are transformed they will not be able to contribute to society and that is what we are doing. God has helped us as you can see the women here are very happy and that is what we stand for. Let the fire catch up and let it spread. We may not be able to capture the needs of everybody but with the little we have we can try. But we believe that other individuals should emulate us,” he added.
Also speaking to journalists at the Heart of Delta Orphanage home, the Public Relation Officer, Mr. Chijoke Ukadike, enjoined all Nigerians to start looking around themselves and see how they can help the needy in their community, noting that when people begin to be their brother’s keeper the country will be a peaceful place to live in.
He said; “The rate of suicide and armed robbery is increasing because of the difficult situation we found ourselves. This type of gesture when you make it to somebody it will make the person know that God loves him because he sends men and women to come and help him. He cannot come down from heaven to come and help you. He uses people to come and help you and that is what we are doing today.”
“There is so much suffering and hunger in the country. You saw the excitement here today over a little gesture that we did. Assuming that so many people that in power are beginning to replicate these things all over, you will find that we will have a country that is full of happy people and a happy nation is a healthy nation. There will less violent and anger because everybody has decided to be their brother’s keeper. And you will find out that it will cut down on animosity and envy,” he added.
The Delta Representative of the Club, Engr. Sweet Tefue appealed to all well to do Nigerians to always share with others what the Lord has blessed them with, just as the club was doing.
“Today we have put smiles on so many people’s faces, we have given them scholarship and they are happy. I want to encourage everybody to share love because when there is love, peace will reign and where there is peace there will be progress. There are some people who are wealthy but the do not have the spirit of giving. But the Lord has given us the grace and I pray that he should give us more grace to do more.
