…seeks government’s intervention on social amenities and infrastructure in Ezeagu
ENUGU— The Ezeagu South Youth Coalition, between 7th to 18th of December 2019, embarked on the second edition of its poverty alleviation programme.
The association, led by Dr Onyekachi Ugwuonye, tagged the theme for this year’s outing; “Operation Feed at Least One Person in Ezeagu South”, one of the three zones in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu state.
Comprising of 3 communities – Umana, Obinofia, and Umumba – with 6 political wards in Ezeagu South, the youth coalition aimed at providing food items to 72 indigent persons in Ezeagu South (Mbanito).
The association was able to feed at least 12 persons per ward, tracing them individually to their various houses and spending some time with them.
According to the president of the association, Dr Ugwuonye, “Our mission, in addition to giving them food items, was to instill hope in these people to realise that whatever situation they are passing through, hope abounds and some people somewhere share in their pains.
“This was an improvement on the first edition (in 2018) when we were able to visit and donate food to only 60 indigent people.”
During this year’s visit, the association was able to identify people in dire need of medical attention and help was rendered to them as much as possible.
At Agba Umana, the association was able to commence the treatment of 2 mentally-ill patients, and set plans in motion on how to sustain their treatment for 6 months. This was repeated in Umumba Ndiagu and Umumba Ndiuno where one mentally challenged person respectively, was identified and offered immediate treatment.
Dr. Ugwuonye who also doubles as Chairman Nigerian Medical Association, Enugu East Zone, disclosed that: “One of the most worrisome situation was the case of a 16-year-old boy at Obinofia Ndiagu who has been on suprapubic cystostomy (urine bag connected to catheter that entered his bladder through his lower abdomen) for over 6 months to allow him pass urine and relieve the urethral structure he has as a result of pelvic fracture he sustained for over 8 months in a motor accident.
“The young boy identified as Master Chidera, is said to be an orphan living on the meager resources of his aged grandmother. From our intervention, he has been sent to UNTH for assement with a view to ascertaining the level of damage and possible solutions. It is very likely from available evidence that Master Chidera may be booked for corrective surgery by early 2020. The problem will still be how to foot the financial cost of such major surgery.”
“At Aguoba Obelegu, we could not help but shed tears at the sight of a little boy locked up in the house alone, so as to enable the mother run errands to fend for her family. The little boy has developmental problems likely to have arisen from difficulties in pregnancy and labour.
“It was disheartening to observe there were no functional general hospitals in the whole of Ezeagu South, communities are cut off from others due to the dilapidated state of the roads, and there was no bank even a microfinance bank in the whole zone of the local government. In fact, there is no motorable road linking these 3 communities (6 political wards) in Ezeagu. This is of great economic importance owing to the fact that people of Ezeagu South are mainly farmers who are increasingly becoming unable to transport their farm produce to urban areas like the state capital, thereby getting more impoverished,” he added.
Ugwuonye, out of compassion, called for the urgent intervention of the state government and other concerned leaders from the zone to come to the aid of the people and inhabitants of Ezeagu communities in order to alleviate the sufferings of the people.
According to him, “We call on the government of Enugu state, and the political leaders, past and present from Ezeagu, the senator and house of rep member representing us to hear our yearning and come to the rescue of these indigent people and the entire zone of Ezeagu local government.
“At the same time, we express our appreciation to all those who donated towards this course and pray Almighty God to reward you handsomely.”
