Christmas came early to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as the collaboration between the Senior Pastor, Church of God Mission, Reverend (Mrs) Laurie Idahosa tagged #LauriesIDPChallenge and Nollywood artiste, Uti Nwachukwu, tagged #UtiLeadsTheStars for a Christmas charity visit to a camp housing widows and children displaced by Boko Haram insurgency, at Uhogua community, Benin, Edo State, was held recently.
Explaining his decision to partner his nongovernmental organisation (NGO) with Idahosa’s #LauriesIDPChallenge, Uti stated that Idahosa’s integrity and long term commitment to the humanitarian efforts for the camp made her an ideal partner for this collaboration.
While Uti’s drive provided clothing materials to widows as well as educational items, toys and food to children in the camp, #LauriesIDPChallenge supplied the volunteer work force, logistics and fed the residents of the camp.
Speaking prior to the event, Uti, who was class valedictorian and a 2009 graduate of Computer Science Education of Benson Idahosa University (BIU), stated that his intention was to help foster hope among the IDPs by assisting the camp administration in providing necessary aid and awareness.
Members of Uti’s team included actor, Blossom Chukwujekwu; filmmaker, Kevwe Ogunje; reality TV stars, Lillian Afegbai, Michael Nwachukwu, Melvin Oduah; afro-pop star, TeeManay; stylist, Yolanda Okereke and behind the scenes organiser, Miss Joy Sillo.
Uti and Idahosa also asked present partners, friends and all concerned people who were interested in giving back this season to partner with the team as they were making weekly trips to the camp with donations.
and then