On Monday, March 10, 2025, members of the Ernest Bebenimibo Foundation, EBF, a nongovernmental organisation founded by Dcn Ernest Bebenimibo, converged at the Okerenkoko Federated Community, the birthplace of its founder and the NGO, and reenacted what played out five years ago—gifting of writing and learning materials such as branded notebooks, pencils, bags, mathematical sets to pupils and students; as well as wrappers (clothing) to the aged women of the riverine community that is situated in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West council area of Delta State.

In a demonstration of "No place like home", the EBF, led by its founder and wife, Mrs. Loveth Bebenimibo, in marking its fifth anniversary, returned to its birthplace where it first began its maiden legacy project, to not only show the people love but to also render a stewardship report of its exploits over half a decade, while hoping to double its impacts as it begins another new journey to a decade.

In its assessment of its exploits toward caring for the needs of the aged and boosting the morale of the creek child educational-wise, the EBF, through its Street to School Project and Back to School Project, have touched lives of pupils and students across various local government areas in Edo, Delta, and Ondo states.

Running with the slogan of "Your Tomorrow Is Better Than Your Today" the EBF hopes to equip the creek child with not only learning materials or aids but to  also instill in them a long-term vision to believe in themselves and to strive for excellence by taking their studies serious and working hard to achieve the dream of a more better future irrespective of the challenges they encounter in their immediate environment.

Forming an alliance in collaboration with its partners including the General Manager, Operations in Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Sir Godfrey Tare Pondi; the EBF Board of Trustees Chairman, Hon. George Ekpemupolo; Engr. Michael Tonlagha, among others, the EBF hopes to change the narrative, especially in boosting the education of the creek child.

On its fifth anniversary, the EBF, towards achieving its vision, gifted about 700 pupils and students of Okerenkoko Primary and Secondary schools more than 3,000 branded notebooks, more than 200 branded school bags, more than 100 branded mathematical sets and lots of writing materials.

The homecoming of the EBF on attaining half a decade since its establishment is also tied to a very important spiritual exercise, one which the Founder believes is necessary and vital to its success in both the current-term and in the future. As mentioned from the onset of this piece, the EBF, as a NGO, is poised to catering for the needs of the aged as well as the widows. Over the years it had clothed the aged, provided for the needy among them, and offered hope to the widowed. 

On its fifth anniversary, the EBF doled out more than clothing materials (wrappers) to 110 aged women in the riverine community. These beneficiaries in return have always offered the only precious thing in their possession—prayers for more blessings, upliftment and growth of the EBF.

As the EBF marks half a decade of transforming lives, its message is clear—every child, as leader of tomorrow, irrespective of location deserves quality education and attention to excel; and this attention calls for collaborative efforts and partnership to bring about more resources that will impact positively on them and on the less privilege in society. Together, we all can transform the world to a better place.

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