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UPU PG, Gam, Hail Ohio Chapter Over Medical Donation To Sapele Hospital, Others
The President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Worldwide, Olorogun Ese Gam, has commended the UPU Ohio Chapter, North America, for its humanitarian gesture, describing the donation of medical equipment to Central Hospital, Sapele, food items to Merciful Orphanage, Oghara, empowerment of widow with grinding machines and cash gift as a show of selfless service and genuine love for humanity.
Speaking during the series of presentations on Monday, Olorogun Gam said the chapter’s intervention reflected the core values upon which the UPU was founded and challenged Urhobo sons and daughters across the world to embrace the culture of giving.
“I am overwhelmed by what they have done today. UPU Ohio has done well. The Bible says to whom much is given, much is expected. They have shown that you do not have to be rich to be kind. Even the things you no longer need can bring joy to someone else. They travelled over 6,000 miles at their own expense to be here, and that speaks volumes about their love for the Urhobo nation,” he said.
The UPU President-General noted that the organisation thrives on sacrifice and voluntary service rather than profit, adding that the growing emergence of women in leadership positions across UPU branches, particularly in the diaspora, was evidence of the union’s progress and inclusiveness.
President of UPU Ohio and host of the UPU North America 33rd Annual Convention, Olorogun Dr. Mrs. Louisa Oyoyo Ukochovwera, said the outreach was inspired by the chapter’s commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable people and strengthening healthcare delivery in Urhobo land.
Presenting grinding machines to widows, she said the initiative was designed to restore hope and economic independence rather than merely offer charity.
“Today, Urhobo wipes tears and plants hope. We are not giving charity; we are giving tools. We are giving power. We are giving our mothers and sisters the means to stand on their own feet with dignity.
This grinding machine is not just iron and a motor; it represents independence, school fees, food on the table and proof that Urhobo does not forget its own,” she said.
Quoting James 1:27, she stressed the need to care for widows and orphans, lamenting that many widows are often neglected after the loss of their husbands.
She announced the UPU Ohio Widows Empowerment Initiative, saying the programme would focus on leadership through service, building a lasting legacy of compassion, and creating prosperity by helping widows establish sustainable means of livelihood.
She also challenged other UPU chapters in North America to adopt similar empowerment programmes, urging them to support at least 10 widows before the next annual convention.
While presenting medical equipment to Central Hospital, Sapele, Dr. (Mrs.) Ukochovwera said the Ohio chapter, which has over 74 financial members, remained committed to supporting critical sectors in Urhobo land despite being based thousands of miles away.
“Please accept this token of our love. We believe these equipment will be used judiciously to improve healthcare delivery and benefit our people,” she said.
Items presented to the hospital include; modern hospital beds, medical regulators, hospital bed sheets, pillows, washing machine, wheelchairs, refrigerator, Television and GOtv, Stretchers, Examination Tables and more
Others are donation of bags of rice and beans, cartons of indomie, Smart TV and other food items to the Merciful Orphanage Oghara and and a grinding machine and cash gift to a widow.
Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area, Hon. Bright Abeke, described the intervention as a significant contribution to healthcare and social welfare, saying the donations would complement government’s efforts to improve the living conditions of the people.
He commended the UPU Ohio Chapter for demonstrating that Nigerians in the diaspora remained committed to the development of their homeland and urged other organisations and individuals to emulate the initiative through meaningful community investments.
Also speaking, Hon. Austin Ayemidejor applauded the chapter for translating its love for the Urhobo nation into practical support for vulnerable members of society.
He described the donation of medical equipment, food items and empowerment packages as a practical demonstration of compassion, noting that such interventions would strengthen healthcare delivery while providing economic opportunities for widows and hope for disadvantaged children.
Ayemidejor urged other Urhobo associations and philanthropists, both at home and abroad, to partner with government in addressing critical social needs and advancing the development of Urhobo communities.
Receiving the medical equipment on behalf of Central Hospital, Sapele, the Zonal Medical Director, Dr. Mrs. Owobu Ufuoma, a Consultant Family Physician, described the donation as timely and impactful.
She explained that the hospital serves as a secondary healthcare facility and referral centre for Sapele and neighbouring communities, adding that the equipment would significantly improve patient care and service delivery.
According to her, the intervention began after a discussion with Chief Fred Okotie, who requested a list of the hospital’s priority equipment needs.
“I am seeing not only many of the items that were on that list but even additional equipment that was not included. For that, we are deeply grateful. Government cannot do it alone, and partnerships like this are invaluable. These equipment will improve the quality of healthcare services we provide, and we hope this partnership will continue,” she said.
The outreach also featured the donation of food items, including Cartons of Indomine, bags of beans, cartons of business, groundnut oil and other beverages, Television and GOTV decoder and other items to Merciful Orphanage Home, Oghara, which was presented on behalf of the chapter by Olorogun Dr. Felix Okpe, reinforcing the UPU Ohio Chapter’s commitment to supporting vulnerable groups through practical humanitarian interventions.
Other members of the UPU Ohio delegation that accompanying the branch President Olorogun Dr. (Mrs.) Louisa Oyoyo Ukochovwera, are Olorogun Dr. Felix Okpe, Olorogun Augustina Ufuoma Scot, and Dr. Ovie Fred Okotie, who all travelled more than 6,000 miles from the United States to personally participate in the humanitarian outreach, which formed part of activities leading to the UPU North America 33rd Annual Convention themed, “Urhobo Global Impact: Leadership, Legacy and Prosperity.”