Nation
Amaudo: Mrs Priscilla Otti seeks immortalization of Roselind ‘Nkechi’ Colwill
Mrs. Priscilla Otti, wife of Abia State governor, has used the occasion of her maiden working visit to the rehabilitation home for mentally-ill located at Amaudo Itumbuzo in Bende LGA of Abia state, to make a case for the state government to immortalize the founder, Miss Roselind ‘Nkechi’ Colwill for her passion, selfless efforts and services to humanity since the establishment of the center , which has taken many mentally- ill destitute off the streets of southern part of Nigeria.
Established in 1989 by Colwill , a British Social worker, through the Methodist Church Nigeria, Otti has become the first wife of any sitting military or civilian administrator to visit the centre since its establishment.
Sources say the centre was established in response to growing numbers of people with mental health challenges roaming the streets.
So far, over 1,200 residents have since recovered from their mental challenges and returned to their families. Many of them acquired skills in agriculture, trade, among other to earn a living after reuniting with their families and the larger society.
Addressing the management and staff of the centre after she was taken round by the Director in-charge, Very Rev Kenneth Nwaubani, Mrs Otti assured that a structure would be raised in the center to immortalize Rosalind Colwill for her rare sacrifice for humanity.
She further promised to support the center in the area of skills acquisition for residents undergoing rehabilitation at the center, noting that she would partner with the management of the center to sustain the on going free rehabilitation work at the center.
In her words, “It gives me great joy to have the opportunity to visit this important facility that I have heard so much about and for the wonderful work that is being done here. I want to thank God first of all that this kind of place exists in our state and also thank God for the founders of this facility.
“I also want to thank Specially the leadership of this place ably led by the Very Rev Kenneth Nwaubani for the selfless work you do for humanity and to God. I know God will continue to bless you and reward your labour of love which will never be in vain.
“I am so so happy, first of all for the founder of this place Nkechi Rosalind Colwill whom we have also heard much about years back, her name was circulating everywhere and I didn’t know it was even this center. She makes us proud and we are happy to celebrate her missionary and selfless efforts.”
According to the wife of the governor,” this administration will recognize her in one way or the other and ensure that her name is immortalized.”
She described the magnitude of work going on at the center as pure humanitarianism, promising that in no distant time the poor road network leading to the center would be rehabilitated , in addition to addressing other concerns of the centre as raised by the management.
Mrs. Otti declared: “I thank God for the present administration. We are focused on uplifting Abians who have been under so much oppression for years. The administration of Governor Alex Otti has come to lift the people out of poverty and improve their welfare and the mentally ill ones and other less privileged are so much important to us”
“We will work hands in-gloves with this facility which is the major facility here to address their needs and I assure you I have taken note of your request.
“I can promise that I will support in any way, particularly, in the area of skills acquisition. It will be my joy to see members of this community come out and be reintegrated with the larger society as able and capable members who can fend for themselves,” she promised.
Speaking after conducting wife of the governor round the facility the Director, Rev Nwaubani thanked her for being the first Wife a Governor to visit the center.
He observed that the sacrifice spoke volume of the commitment of the administration of Governor Alex Otti towards rebuilding Abia for the better.
Said he: “You are the first Wife of the Executive Governor of Abia State to visit Amaudo since 1989. This is a clear testimony of the spirit of the “New Abia State” manifested by the administration of His Excellency Dr Alex Otti. Your visit today is a reaffirmation of Dr Otti’s policy that all Abians have a place in his administration”.
“Her Excellency, Amaudo was deliberately established in the rural Itumbauzo Community in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State to draw the attention of the governmenst to rural development. This aim has been neglected by past Governments of Abia State”, he observed.
According to Nwubani, “The concept was simple and ground-breaking, Amaudo would help these people off the streets and support their rehabilitation and reintegration into society, living with them as a community. Since its humble beginnings, Amaudo has grown and developed. It now provides mental healthcare to over 10,000 people from various Local Government Areas of Abia State.
“Amaudo works hard to raise awareness and challenge widespread stigma and misinformation about mental health in communities. It has supported the government of Abia State in addressing the mental health needs of the population since 1989.”
He requested for more funding to continue its humanitarian work, overcome its challenges as well as continue to support people with mental health needs in Abia state and beyond.
The Center Director also called for the immediate implementation of the recommendations of the report conducted by Dr Ure Nnenna Lekwauwa, a renowned Abia-born Psychiatrist based in United States of America which urged the Abia state government to partner the Amaudo Integrated Community Mental health foundation as the only credible Institution with mental health care experience in the state.
As Nwubani put it,” In 2014 The Government of Abia State, under Governor Theodore Orji commissioned a study on the mental health facilities in Abia State which was conducted by Dr Ureh Nnenna Lekwauwa a renowned Abia-born Psychiatrist based in the United States of America. Through that report, Amaudo was recommended to the Abia State Government as an Institution that the Government can partner with for mental health rehabilitation. We are ready to offer ideas and skills you may need to address rehabilitation issues in Abia State”Very Rev Nwaubani stated.
The Hon Commissioner for Women Affairs and Vulnerable groups Mrs Blessing Felix. Mayor of Bende LGA and other government functionaries accompanied the Governor’s wife on the visit.
