Moved by the desire to touch lives and produce responsible citizens in his hometown of Oyoku-Ibighi in Urue Offong Oruko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, a United States-based medical doctor and philanthropist, Dr Kitefre Oboho who currently runs a scholarship programme for 86 beneficiaries, has officially commissioned a well-built relaxation centre, known as ‘Oyoku Plaza’, to ease stressful living amongst his people.
The Atlanta-based Associate Professor of Family Medicine said he was passionate about transforming lives with his little resources, especially by ensuring that people live comfortably so the society could be peaceful.
Speaking during a ceremony on Friday, October 31, the Okete-Okete Oro said the Plaza also comes with a mobile table tennis court, which he believes could add more attraction to the relaxation centre.
Flanked by his wife of over 47 years, Mrs Atim Oboho, the Staff Physician of Veteran Affairs Medical Centre, explained that he launched the scholarship programme 12 years ago in honour of his father, Late Rev Edet Okon Oboho.
“We started the scholarship with 27 beneficiaries in 2015. But as the years go by, the coordinator of the programme, Comrade Victor Asuquo keeps giving us strong reasons to increase it. The gesture is meant for natives of Oyoku-Ibighi studying in tertiary institutions across the nation.
“Those in colleges of education and polytechnics are given #70,000, while those in the universities are given #100,000 annually. For those studying law and medicine, we assist with #150,000. We equally make sure that all final year students across board are given #150,000 to augment their final year expenses”, Dr Oboho explained.
While expressing pride in the academic performances of beneficiaries, Dr Oboho encouraged them to remain studious, aiming to graduate with flying colours and avoiding any attraction to cultism and other vices.
He used the occasion to call on the council chairman, Chief Uno Etim Uno, to consider Oyoku-Ibighi in his next phase of solar lighting, as well as create feeder roads to boost the economy in the area.
Similarly, Mrs Atim Oboho, said each of the 20 beneficiaries was entitled to #100,000, which she said chould assist them to engage in petty businesses. She called on them to remain diligent and avoid giving out their wares on credit.
In his remarks, the chairman on the occasion, Chief Ambit Sunday, observed that Dr Oboho’s personal sacrifice of empowering the people was a lifestyle which he had cultivated over time. While stressing that the gesture should encourage beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunities, Chief Ambit called on other well meaning community leaders to emulate the gesture.
While commissioning the project, the vice chairman of Urueoffong Oruko LGA, Hon. Arit Ambit commended the Oboho’s family for touching lives. While charging the Women to make good use of the funds in running petty businesses, Mrs Ambit announced a support of N1,000,000 to add 10 women to the list of beneficiaries.
Also speaking, Prof. Esio Oboho, former deputy vice-chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, while lauding the sponsors for their humanitarian service, reminded beneficiaries to make use of the golden opportunities to improve their lives.
Coordinator of the Programmes, Comrade Victor Asuquo, while setting the tone for the event, noted that all beneficiaries were natives of Oyoku-Ibighi, adding that the 86 persons are currently on the scholarship. He said the programme has so far recorded excellence in the academic performances of students.
In their remarks, the youth president of the village, Comrade Effiong Edet Ebukune; the president, National Association of Urueoffong Oruko Students (NAUOS), Uniuyo Chapter, Comrade Edet Ita Benson; and the women beneficiaries: Ikwo Edet Dick and Akon Asuquo David, expressed appreciation to the Oboho’s and prayed God to reward them a thousand fold.
Highpoints of the event were the official handing over of the Plaza and tennis court to the village council, as well as the presentation of envelopes to empowerment beneficiaries.
This is a great way of giving back to soc. God bless him.