It was glitz, glamour and culture penultimate Sunday when a non-governmental and charity organization (NGO) for Cross Rivers indigenes gathered at the Sheraton in Lagos to raise funds, present awards to deserving individuals and generally hang out with their families.

Members of the Winged Wheel Women Charity initiative with WWW patron, Sen. Owan-Enoh cutting the charity ball cake.

The Winged Wheel Women Charity initiative, an organization founded by a group of elite Lagos-based women of Cross Rivers extraction whose objectives revolve around providing infrastructure and improving the lives of women and children in their home state ; gathered like-minded individuals and organizations together to wine, dine, and deliberate on the way forward- not to mention mingle with other Cross-Riverians.

In her address, Mrs. GertyOgbeche ,President,Winged   Wheel Women Charity initiative noted that      the initiative was birthed from intense brainstorming sessions on the gaping need for intervention in the welfare of rural women in the state. Speaking further, she asserted that over 500 elderly lives have been touched through the intervention of the initiative across the three senatorial districts of the state. In conclusion, she buttressed her point by quoting Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it is done”.

Chairman of the occasion John Owan-Enoh representing Cross Rivers Central in the Nigerian Senate and WWW patron described the Initiative as being committed to the development not only of Cross Rivers but the entire nation. Flagging off and anchoring the very successful fund raiser, the lawmaker praised the Wheel Winged Women, describing them as  “courageous women”.

The group took the opportunity to present to the public their next project, by which they seek to reduce maternal mortality by the provision of superior healthcare facilities in their home state. Outlining the initiative’s 4 cardinal programmes as being Widow Care, Mat Care,  Girl Care and Edu Care; their partner gynecologist Dr. Arafat Ifemeje, Head of Department Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nigeria Airforce Hospital Ikeja, Lagos; delivered a presentation through which by graphic details she painted a gloomy picture of the state of affairs of antenatal facilities and expertise in the state. She bemoaned the situation in which women, who are charged with the responsibility of carrying on the human species, are treated as though they do not count, noting that a million and one contraceptives now exist to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Dr. Ifemeje was one of the lucky recipients of various honours awarded to various individuals who have been outstanding in their dealings with WWW. Others included Prince AkwajiOffiono, Mrs. GodreyOgbechie and Dr. Josephine Chukwumah.

Other members of WWW include  Mrs. Flora Takim- Ndifon, Mrs. Agnes Akudo- Duke, Engr. Anna Butem-Etta and Mrs. IkipNdoma-Egba amongst others.

The Charity group which commenced her activities in October 2015, is registered with Cross Rivers state Ministry of Women Affairs   and commenced by outreach to Bakassi rural women in February 2016.