The wife of Abia state Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti has Commended the founder of Amaudo Integrated Community Mental Health Foundation, Sister Rosalind Colwill for her love and passion towards humanity leading to the establishment of the center which has taken many mentally ill destitute off the streets of the southern part of Nigeria.
Mrs. Otti made her feelings Public when she paid a working visit to the rehabilitation home at Itumbauzo Community in Bende LGA of Abia state, assured that a structure would be raised in the center to immortalize Sister Rosalind Colwill for her rare sacrifice for humanity.
She promised to support the center in the area of skills acquisition for residents undergoing rehabilitation at the center and to partner management of the center led by the Very Rev Kenneth Nwaubani in ensuring that the free rehabilitation work being carried out at the center is sustained.
“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 God. I know God will continue to bless you and reward your labor of love which will never be in vain.
I am 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 made us proud and we are happy to celebrate her missionary and selfless efforts.
This administration will recognize her in one way or the other and ensure that her name is immortalized”The Governor’s wife assured.
The wife of the Governor while describing the work being carried out at the center as purely humanitarian, promised that in no distant time, the poor road network leading to the center will be a thing of the past in addition to attending to other concerns raised by the management of the center.
“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 hand in hand 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 you in any way, particularly in the area of skills acquisition, it will be my joy to see members of this Community come out and reintegrate with society as able and capable members who can fend for themselves” Mrs. Priscilla Otti promised.
Addressing the Governor’s wife after conducting her around the center, the Director, Amaudo Integrated Community Mental Health Foundation the Very Rev Kenneth Nwaubani who thanked Lady Priscilla Otti for being the first Wife a Governor to visit the center, said the sacrifice spoke volumes of the commitment of the administration of Governor Alex Otti to rebuilding Abia for the better.
“You are the first Wife of the Executive Governor of Abia State to visit Amaudo since 1989 (35 years). 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”.
Rev Nwaubani said that the center was established in 1989 by Rosalind Colwill, a British Social worker through the Methodist Church Nigeria in response to growing numbers of people with mental health problems roaming the streets.
He noted that so far, the center has picked, rehabilitated, and reunited over 1,200 residents with their families with many of them acquiring agricultural skills, and trade among other empowerment to earn a living after reuniting them with their families and the larger society.
“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 Government to rural development.
This aim has been neglected by past Governments of Abia State”.
“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. Over 1,200 residents have since recovered and returned to their families, many with agricultural skills or a trade to support themselves. Since its humble beginnings, Amaudo has grown and developed. It now provides mental healthcare to over 10000 people in 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″.Rev Nwaubani noted.
He said that the center urgently needs 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 the United States of America which urged the Abia state government to partner with with the Amaudo Integrated Community Mental Health Foundation as the only credible Institution with mental health care experience in the state.
” In 2014 The Government of Abia State under Governor T.A 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, Mrs. Blessing Felix, Special Assistant to the Governor on Vulnerable Groups, and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Ifeoma Thomas, Special Assistant on Women Affairs, Mrs. Chinwe Onyeukwu, Special Assistant on Women Mobilisation and Mrs. Chinwe Kalu and other government functionaries accompanied the Governor’s wife on the visit, while the Mayor of Bende LGA, Barr. Chijioke Nwankwo was on the ground to receive the First Lady.
