Follow Us on Google
From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
A Benue born philanthropist and business mogul, Dr. Godwin Kave, has begun a week-long programme to celebrate his 50th birthday anniversary beginning with a medical outreach in Buruku local government area the state.
The outreach held at LGEA Primary School, Tofi, Mbaade in Mbagen, attracted residents from neighbouring communities as over 1,000 residents benefited from free healthcare services. The intervention provided services ranging from medical consultations to checks for blood pressure, testing, treatment of malaria deworming for children as well as distribution of basic dignity, hygiene and health materials.
Addressing the people, Kave, who explained that the intervention is purely humanitarian, said it was his own little way of giving back to the society and should not be interpreted as a political move.
He said : “Some people have been asking me whether I’m eyeing a political position. But I always tell them that I’m not into politics and I don’t know when I will join politics.”
He explained that his experiences from traveling abroad motivated him to replicate developmental initiatives in his community, particularly in the area of healthcare and human capital development.
As part of the flag-off, Kave also distributed exercise books to pupils of Tofi Primary School, restating his commitment to education of his younger brothers and sisters.
The outreach also featured the flag off of an empowerment and skills acquisition programme as well as the presentation of materials to women to support small-scale enterprises.
Chairman of the planning committee, Mr. Paul Iorapuu, emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in development, noting that government alone cannot meet all societal needs.
Iorapuu said: “Government cannot do it alone. There is a need for individuals to complement its efforts by reaching out to people in their own ways.”
Some beneficiaries, including Mrs Angbiandoo Aondowase, Mrs. Awashima Sesugh, Mr. Tyozenda Solomon Udeh, Mr. Atov Zevanyi, and Mr. Tyokosu James Terkimbi, all took turns to appreciate Dr Kave for his kind gesture, praying for divine blessings upon him and his family.
Another resident, who identified himself as Mr Udeh, urged residents to take advantage of such interventions rather than remaining passive observers.
He urged other well-to-do indigenes of Buruku to emulate Kave’s example, describing the outreach as unprecedented. He said: “I am learning paint production here,
while others are being trained in perfume making, soap production and other skills.”
Speaking to our correspondent in Makurdi, the capital of the state, Kave disclosed that the week-long golden jubilee programme continues with the inauguration of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ICT training programme for youths at Government Model College Makurdi.
Other activities lined up for the celebration include the launch of a scholarship scheme for tertiary students in Gboko, the final of a football tournament in Mbagen, and the grand finale in Makurdi featuring a colloquium, book presentation, and unveiling of the Kave Economic Empowerment Foundation (KEEF).
According to him, the birthday celebration will round off with a thanksgiving Mass and cultural reception in Makurdi.
