By: Vitalis Ugoh, Calabar
A multi million Naira welfare home for the less privileged children built by the Brotherhood of Cross and Star (BCS) has been commissioned by the spiritual leader of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu.
The renowned spiritual leader used the Universal Women’s Fellowship, an arm of the spiritual organisation to spearhead the welfare home project.
The multipurpose edifice is located on eight plots of land in Enang Ahe community in Parliamentary Extension in Calabar Municipality, spanning over ten years to complete, from 2013 to 2023.
According to the International President of the Women’s group, Matriarch Victoria Imowo who disclosed this to journalists in Calabar, Cross River State capital, the project is named ,”Mother Elizabeth Esu Olumba Obu Redeemed Children Home”.
According to her, “the construction followed the formal recognition of the home by the UNICEF and Cross River State government in 2015”.
The future of over 380 children together in a much conducive complex informed the decision to erect the 3-storey 400 bed edifice.
She described the home as a humanitarian edifice, symbol of hope for the vulnerable and a place of refuge for children and the destitute.
“Before now, we occupied a 1-storey building with few rooms on Ambo Street Calabar South but it was grossly inadequate for the ever increasing number of less privileged children and staff.
“Following constant visits and commendations from the state ministry of social and welfare development as well as from UNICEF, we had to pull our resources together and with robust supports from our Father, a philanthropist par excellence, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu, we acquired eight plots of land where we have now built this 400-bed multipurpose edifice which has eight spacious and fully furnished hostels”.
Imowo said that the Home was established in 2008 and fully incorporated as a government-recognised and registered Care Home in 2010.
“In 2013, the Home was registered with Cross River State Ministry of Humanity and Social Welfare as one of the Care Homes in the State.”
According to her, it was the then Commissioner for Social Welfare, Mrs. Patricia Enderley after another visit in 2016 who suggested that the Home be named Redeemed Children Home to reflect the work of redemption being carried out in the Care Home.
Imowo explained further that the massive building also has a chapel, well equipped children’s library for, an ultra-modern kitchen, state of the art laundry facilities, children’s playground, and handlers’ lodge.
According to her, “the multi million naira project is the biggest residential home in Nigeria built for children who are orphans, destitute and vulnerable children which is equipped with modern facilities and is multi-purpose built for the children’s comfort and safety.”
In his statement, spokesman of the organisation, Dr Amah Williams, recalled what led the founder of the Spiritual Organisation, Leader Olumba Olumba Obu to establish the Home, saying “the building of the magnificent structure to accommodate the children and staff of the Home was activated by His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu. It bears eloquent testimony to His commitment to practically demonstrate the ideals of love, compassion and charity that He preaches daily.”
“The evolution of The Holy Mother Elizabeth Obu’s Care Home could be traced back to the cradle of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star at no. 8 Eton Street, Calabar. Nobody that visited Brotherhood premises that time left without being taken care of.
“During the Nigerian Civil War, many people took refuge at our 26 Mbukpa Chapel which was about the only safe place. The refugees were taken in and ate to their fill.”
“Children whose parents were killed in the war found succour and warmth in the Home, he recalled”.
“Through the post-war period, many more children were abandoned in the premises of our organization. This was how the idea for this ultra modern Home was nurtured which today has been blossomed”.
He informed that the welfare home is not limited to Nigerians and will soon be replicated in other states of Nigeria and other countries.
Williams said Olumba Obu is committed to the ideals of love, charity and rendering selfless services to humanity, which reasons he supports humanitarian works in many countries to lessen the burden of the depressed and afflicted.
“Leader Olumba Olumba Obu since His physical manifestation has remain committed to the ideals of love, charity and rendering selfless services to humanity. He does not only preach love, but He practices it and urges all humankind, governments and institutions to follow after His footsteps by bearing one another’s burden and exemplify true and blameless love as this is the only way out of the numerous challenges facing mankind. It is for this reason that Leader Olumba Olumba Obu consistently engages in humanitarian and soul lifting activities”.
He noted that the building of the magnificent structure to accommodate children and staff of the Mother Elizabeth Redeemed Home of Love by His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu, the King of kings and Lord of lords bears eloquent testimony to His commitment to practicallydemonstrate the ideals of love, compassion and charity that He preaches daily”.
The mega structure which is spearheaded by our Holy Father through the International Women Fellowship of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star sits on eight plots of land. It has a capacity of 400 beds, segmented into eight very spacious and tastefully furnished hostels.
“It also has a chapel, well equipped children’s library for, an ultra-modern kitchen, state of the art laundry facilities, children’s playground, and handlers’ lodge. The multimillion-naira project is equipped with modern facilities and is purpose built for the children’s comfort and safety.It is arguably the biggest residential home in Nigeria built for children who are orphans, destitute and vulnerable children. The magnificent structure is a quintessence of care and a symbol of hope and comfort for these vulnerable children”.
