UPU Minnesota, USA Donates Bus to St. Anne’s Orphanage Home….as Ogbuagu Donates Books too

Francis Sadhere

As part of it efforts to touch the lives of the less privileged in the society, the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) of Minnesota, USA has donated a 14-seater bus to St. Anne’s Orphanage Home, Effurun, near Warri, Delta State.

Handing-over the bus key to the matron of the orphanage home, Dr. (Mrs.) Veronica Ogbuagu said she we was elated that UPU was able to donate the brand new bus to the orphanage home.

Speaking at the occasion, she said the donation of the bus was made possible at the 21^st Anniversary Fund Raising Dinner for Saint Anne’s Orphanage Home Effurun, which took place at Crown Plaza Hotel and Resorts, USA in August 17, 2013 chaired by her.

Dr. Ogbuagu added that UPU, Minnesota USA, decided to organize the fund raising programme to support the children of St. Anne’s Orphanage home after Reverend Sister Mary Usifor made a plea to them that the orphanage seriously needed a bus.

She also called on other religious groups and well meaning Nigerians to emulate what UPU Minnesota, has done and support the less privileged in the society.

“This UPU Minnesota has been on for quite some time now and they have been assisting the less privileged. And when they relocated to America they felt it was something they should still do and they have this orphanage home very dear to their heart. They now told me that they are going to purchase a bus and donate to them. I ran down to Sister Osifor and she told me it was a critical need. I said sister let us pray so that this dream could be realized and behold in Augsust I went to Minnesota and we did the launching. It was a wonder thing. I was so proud to see young Urhobo families coming together to raise fund. The effort alone was worth it. And to add colour to the ceremony, our Anioma brothers and sisters did marvelously well in this Fund Raising. They added colour to the occasion,” She said.

According to her also; “As Deltans we should see ourselves as brothers and sisters. No tongue no tribe, but we are all created by God and for God. Unity means a lot and I am grateful to the Aniomas in Minnesota.

 She stressed that the Urhobos are known for their industry, resourcefulness and hospitality, calling on all other UPU body in Diaspora to emulate the UPU Minnesota and keep the flag flying.

She said; “First and foremost, we want to thank God for making today’s presentation a reality. We thank God also for the lives of UPU families in Minnesota (USA) for conceiving this great idea. We thank especially, the Chairman, Mr. Okitikpi and his team. We also wish to thank Mr. Atare Agbamu who was always in contact with Dr. (Mrs.) Veronica Ogbuagu. And special thanks also go to our Anioma brothers and sisters who also added colour to the occasion.”

Receiving the key of the bus, Sister Mary Usifor, thanked UPU Minnesota for the kind gesture, calling on other well meaning Nigerians to emulate what they have done as it will go a long way in supporting the orphanage homes in the country.

She said; “I am most grateful to them, especially Atare Agbamu whose effort I must say is wonderful. He called me and asked me what we needed and I told him we want a bus. We are most grateful to each and every one of them who have contributed because it is not easy to gather people to come and contribute to the less privileged and better the life of others. I am also grateful to Dr. Ogbaugu who had to travel all the way USA on our behalf. God will bless her efforts.”

Also, Dr. Ogbuagu donated books to the orphanage home, saying that it was her own small way of contributing to the orphanage home and help the children grow up getting used to reading books.