Complaints from residents of Ukhegie, Ivbiore, Ore-Oghene and Isekhere Streets in Benin City as a result of open defecation in their neighbourhoods to teachers and families whose children with special educational needs, reached a record level, but never attended to. Everyone seemed helpless about the embarrassment. The situation persisted for decades due to lack of access to clean water in the seemed neighbourhood which is a vital infrastructure.
For 43 years, families scaled innumerable challenges for their Children to acquire formal education before the Edo State government established the school for the developmentally challenged, hearing impaired pupils in Ukhegie Street in Benin City.
As the population grows, the bush paths that use to serve as thoroughfare had disappeared due to increase urbanization while the deplorable toilet facilities in the school, housing about 700 pupils have been overstretched.
The narrative has changed through a kind-hearted donation of a 10,000 water gallon borehole that was powered by Isaiah 58 Mandate, a faith based non-governmental Organization, founded by 34-year-old Naomi Uwaila Bazuaye.
The inauguration of the reticulated borehole project which cost N10 million on Friday December 11, 2020, marked a turning point in the life of the pupils, teachers, Staff, parents and neighbours who trooped out to identify with the gesture.
The ceremony attracted a lot of attention and interest.
In a remark, the donor of the project, and founder, Isaiah 58 Mandate, Naomi Uwaila Bazuaye, said, “our mandate is to ensure that all basic Education centres have access to social amenities by 2024”.
She commended the Chairman, Edo State Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Dr Joan Oviawe and other Officials and Staff on the Board, for their technical support during approval, execution and commissioning of the project.
Special Adviser on special Education, Osariemen Osagbaekhoe, represented the State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki at the event, commended the donor, Naomi Uwaila Bazuaye before unveiling the project.
She called on other kind-hearted Edo “sons and daughters” particularly those in the diaspora to emulate the donor by complimenting government efforts aimed at repositioning the State.
Others who spoke at the event include Director Edo State based Management Committee Mr. Nosakhare Obaduagboyi.
The pupils of the school thrilled guests at the occasion with inspiring and cultural dances to the excitement of Guests.
Naomi Uwaila Bazuaye is a financial/investment expert, skilled in financial planning, investment and analysis projection. She is also a televangelist, Best-selling Author of The Power Within and a humanitarian. The donor has truly become a diadem that has written her name in the annals of history.
It is expected that the school under the Schools Management Board will have a considerable smooth sail in the management of the facility, following the pledge by the donor to bear the cost of maintenance of the project for a period of five years.
