Hendrix Oliomogbe
The famous lyrics of Michael Jackson’s hit song, Man in the Mirror seemed to capture the essence of the life and times of Her Royal Highness Oloi (Queen) Evbagharu Erediauwa (the Obarisiuwa N’Erie). Oloi Evbagharu Erediauwa was one of the beloved queen consorts of His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa. The king and the queen both joined their ancestors in 2016.
Man in the Mirror, one of Jackson's most memorable songs, called for deep moral accountability, urging listeners to stop waiting for others to fix the world and instead take steps in their own ways to make the world a better place.
The lyrics further painted poverty, the homeless, and a world in deep distress, conceding how easy it is for the haves to luxuriate in the castles of their skins, look away or pretend not to see the struggles of others. In parts of the deeply emotional lyrics, the late King of Pop music sang:
As I turn up the collar on my favorite winter coat
This wind is blowin' my mind
I see the kids in the street with not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind, pretending not to see their needs?
A summer's disregard, a broken bottle top
And a one man's soul
They follow each other on the wind, ya know
'Cause they got nowhere to go
That's why I want you to know
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
A People's Queen with a heart of gold, her life was dedicated to the masses, the less privileged. Her primary concern throughout her sojourn on earth was the betterment of the downtrodden. It broke her to see people in need and nothing was done about their plight.
Going by the different accounts of those who knew her, the Queen Consort was exceptional. Even though she had it all in the comfort of her castle, she was quite aware that it was pretty tough out there and so was all out to make a change so that the world would be a better place for people to live in.
Seven years after she passed on, the children led by Princess Evbodaghe did a serious soul search on how best her memory could continue to be a blessing . Without much ado, they determined that a Foundation for the less privileged should be set up in memory of her.
OLEEF was established in 2023 to preserve and celebrate her enduring legacy of compassion, service, and commitment to community well-being.
She lived a life of sacrifice to orphans, determined to ensure that poverty does not stop children, who are talented from attaining their goals in life.
To honour her legacy, friends and royal family members gathered in the Edo State capital recently for the third anniversary of the Foundation and the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of her transition to glory.
Since its inception, OLEEF has remained steadfast in its mission to bring succour to the less privileged through a range of impactful programs.
The Foundation has, no doubt, greatly succeeded to a very large extent in providing educational support to underprivileged children, empowered rural women, and championed initiatives that promote the welfare and development of the girl child.
Like a mustard seed, OLEEF started modestly in August of 2023 when it gave N100,000 scholarships each to indigent students from the three senatorial districts of Edo State and rolled out plans to establish a skill acquisition centre for women at Amagba, suburban Benin City, Edo State.
Speaking at the maiden ceremony, a member of the board of trustees and husband of the first daughter of Queen Erediauwa, Deacon Sylvester Ebhodaghe explained that the initiative was aimed at remembering the memory of the queen of hearts, a cheerful giver who identified with the less privileged during her life time.
In line with Deacon Ebhodaghe's solemn promise, the scholarship scheme has since been expanded.
He said that the initiative is aimed at providing financial aid, primary healthcare support and educational opportunities for Nigerian children and youths, especially those that may not have the adequate social or economic status to fulfil their academic and vocational dreams.
Also speaking at the 2023 launching ceremony, the chairman of Board of Trustees of OLEEF, Mrs.Joyce Ojemudia remarked that as a people's queen, Oloi Erediauwa, in her life time did so much for God as a believer and humanity, noting that her legacies must not be allowed to die.
Mrs. Ojemudia noted that the family is determined to keep her legacies alive through education and health care for the community.
She said: "All of us know as parents know that education is so vital in the life of any child. We are here to sponsor and partner with the foundation. We have a lot of projects too. No child should be denied education.The Foundation will do everything to make sure that we give education to every child in our space of contact.
"All it will take to achieve this is cooperation and that is why I said that sponsorship is not enough. I believe that many people here will partner with us to take this lauderdale venture to a greater hight."
Former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro amplified Mrs. Ojemudia, noting that the departed wife of the Benin monarch who passed had lived a life of service to God and humanity and the foundation was set up to honour her passion for the people.
Otuaro remarked: "We all know that you cannot overemphasize the need for education in the lives of our children, and that is why we are doing it in remembrance of our mother today. I want to encourage us to give this the very best by supporting the Foundation, knowing that we are touching lives the way our mother did."
The Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Prof. Sam Guobadia noted that the government alone cannot cover all the space in governance, hence the need for non-governmental organizations like OLEEF which strives to fill in the yawning gap.
Prof. Guobadia added that it has become crystal clear that the government can no longer cover all space in governance, advising that it is important to recognize the humanitarian interventions from non profit organizations.
The scholar declared: "There is a need to propagate and sustain the virtue that Oloi Erediauwa lived for. She lived an inspirational life to God and humanity. She lived a life of sacrifice to ophanges to ensure that poverty does not stop children who are talented from attaining their goals in life."
Sounding upbeat, a smiling Pastor Ebhodaghe declared that these interventions have touched lives across Edo State and beyond, reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to social upliftment and sustainable community growth.
Continuing, he said that free cataract surgeries and comprehensive eye care services have also been provided to hundreds of beneficiaries across communities in Edo State, reinforcing the Foundation continued dedication to humanitarian service and to the ideals of love, empathy, and generosity that Oloi Erediauwa embodied throughout her eventful lifetime.
Besides, he said that 100 free prescription glasses were given to school children while 200 reading glasses were also provided to adult beneficiaries after screening at the event while beneficiaries were offered free post-surgery medication.
The man of God said that hundreds of beneficiaries have been trained in fashion design, baking, confectionery, hairdressing and other skills and have been empowered to start off.
House of Representatives member (Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode), Mr. Billy Osawaru lauded the initiative, noting that there's a need to celebrate loved ones even if they are no longer aroused.
Hon. Osawaru said that he will fathom out ways to graft some of his Constituency projects into the Foundation
"This Foundation is good for our kingdom and should be emulated. I'll fuse part of my Constituency projects into the Foundation. It has taken off and should be sustained," the federal lawmaker added.
Speaking in the same vein, a former Lagos State lawmaker, Mr. Segun Olulade, who passionately pleaded for support said that the programmes involved lots of money, stressing that no child should be left outside.
Guests at the ceremony included Edo State deputy governor Dennis Idahosa, who was represented by the deputy Chief of Staff.Clement Alile; Senator Ehigie Uzamere; former Delta State deputy governor; Mr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro; former Bendel State Commissioner for Information Goodwill Ogboghodo; palace chiefs; members of the Benin Royal Family and a host of others.
The people's queen may have been gone for 10 years but like a true heroine in that folk story, her name has continued to ring lots of bells and gives succour to people. Her good deeds, which have lived after her, were certainly not interred with her remains. The woman in the mirror still lives on.
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