*Says offers declared in kind, not cash
By Onome Oghenetega
The Initiative for Global Development (IGD) has confirmed that it did offer a $10Million support to the 05 Initiative, the Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) founded by Dame Edith Okowa, wife of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, to tackle the challenges of sickle cell anaemia in Delta state.
IGD’s official confirmation to NIGER DELTA TODAY from its Washington, United State (U S) base followed clarification by Dame Okowa that no financial commitment was made by IGD to 05 Initiative during its stakeholders sensitisation at just concluded 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The global development agency, however, clarified that the $10Million offer from a member of the IGD, according to its President, Leila Ndiaye, was being given in kind, not cash, to assist 05 Initiative in digitalization of sickle cell patients records, beginning with Delta.
Mrs Okowa had last week Wednesday while briefing journalists in Asaba, the state capital, denied reports insinuating that IGD has offered to assist her pet-project with $10 million.
According to her, “A major outcome of our UN presentation is the expressed desire of The Initiative for Global Development to partner with 05 Initiative.
“Their interest is centred on digitizing our sickle cell clinics across the state. This will generate critical data that will aid in the management of sickle cell patients.
“I would like to state categorically that no memorandum of understanding has been signed and no financial commitment has been made.”
See full text of IGD confirmation on the matter
Special Assistant (SA) on Special Duties to Governor Okowa, Ossai Ovie Success was suspended by the state governor for his lavish media Promo on the offer.
Ossai’s suspension would last for two months without salary while management of the The Pointer were also queried for publishing the report.
