Ogeifun-oviasu Ends Tenure As ENAW President, Says Campaign Promises Fulfilled, Tasks Successor To Sustain Legacies, Break New Ground

by MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

The outgoing President of the Edo National Association Worldwide Inc. (ENAW), Engr. (Mrs.) Bose Ogbeifun-Oviasu, has declared that she was leaving office with her campaign promises fulfilled, urging her successor to sustain the legacies of her administration while exploring new frontiers to take the association to greater heights.

She stated this in her valedictory address today Saturday, September 5, 2026 at the 33rd annual ENAW Convention, hosted by the Edo Association DFW in Dallas, Texas, United States which is led by Dr. Edwin Aghedo, as President.

Ogbeifun-Oviasu, who assumed office in September 2022 as the first ENAW female President since founding, said her administration had devoted itself to building on previous achievements while implementing programs promised during her campaign.

She described the ENAW Dialysis and Diagnostic Centre project as one of the administration’s most significant accomplishments, saying what began as a vision in 2022 had become a life-saving reality for Edo people.

She further revealed that, the Benin City centre, which commenced operations on April 2, 2026, had conducted 3,425 dialysis sessions for 2,409 patients as of the end of July.

The Okpella centre, which commenced operations in June, had also recorded 44 dialysis sessions involving 31 patients as of July, while the Ekpoma centre had been fully constructed and was undergoing installation of dialysis machines and other medical equipment.

She appealed for additional funding to enable the Ekpoma centre commence operations before the end of 2026.

Beyond dialysis, Ogbeifun-Oviasu highlighted ENAW’s intervention in rural healthcare through its partnership with the Edo State Ministry of Health.

She said ENAW renovated and upgraded the Orogho Primary Health Centre before organising a two-day medical outreach that attended to about 1,300 patients.

She also told the gathering that the association sponsored a three-day free cataract surgery program that benefited more than 300 patients, while Odighi Primary Health Centre had been adopted for a future medical mission scheduled for March 2027.

In education, Ogbeifun-Oviasu said the ENAW Women’s WAEC Scholarship Programme paid registration fees for 340 students from the three senatorial districts of Edo State.

She said the initiative was aimed at removing financial barriers that could prevent beneficiaries from sitting for the examination and pursuing tertiary education.

The outgoing president also highlighted the growing role of the ENAW Young Adult Professionals (YAP), describing the group as the future of the association and an important platform for bringing young Edo professionals into the larger ENAW family.

On members’ welfare, she disclosed that the ENAW Members Fund had 1,319 members across 45 clubs as of December 31, 2025, with a cash balance of $668,456.

The fund, established to provide burial assistance to families of deceased members, can provide financial assistance of up to $10,000, depending on the duration of members’ participation.

Engr. (Mrs.) Ogbeifun-Oviasu also gave an update on the ENAW Recreational Park in Auchi, saying perimeter fencing covering nearly two hectares had been completed, alongside the clearing and levelling of the football field, installation of a secured iron gate and construction of an industrial borehole and water tank.

She, however, said construction activities at the park had been temporarily suspended due to ongoing litigation arising from alleged encroachment and vandalism.

The outgoing president also disclosed that the two-bedroom apartment at Emotan Garden, Benin City, gifted to ENAW by the late Captain Hosa Wells Okunbor, has been fully renovated but remained vacant due to inadequate water and electricity supply in the estate.

As Ogbeifun-Oviasu bowed out after four years in office, she expressed satisfaction with her administration’s achievements, saying she had fulfilled every promise made during her campaign.

She expressed confidence in the incoming administration led by Engr. Charles Iguobadia, urging the new leadership to sustain the gains already recorded and break new ground.

“I am confident that the incoming administration led by Engr. Charles Iguobadia will continue the legacy of my administration and break new ground to deepen ENAW’s impact on Edo State and among Edos in the diaspora,” she said.

The convention attracted prominent Edo leaders, professionals, traditional institutions and members of the association from across the diaspora.

Among the dignitaries at ceremony was the former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Imasuen who represented the State Governor and Special Guest of Honour, Senator Monday Okpebholo. Representatives of Edo State Government included the Secretary, Mr. Ikhilor Umar Musa; Director-General, Edo State Diaspora Agency, Dr. (Mrs.) Loretta Oduware Ogboro-Okor, and Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Jonathan Ibhamawu.

Other dignitaries included the Chairman of the occasion, Chief (Dr.) Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan, SAN, representative of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II; keynote speaker, Dr. Sota Omoigui; Chairman, ENAW Council of Presidents, Engr. Charles Oviawe, and Chairman, ENAW Board of Advisors, Barrister Dickson Iyawe.