The Mayor of Yenagoa City Council, Bulodisiye Ndiwari, has credited social media with the successful reunion of Mrs. Joy Izibevie Obugu with her family after 30 years of separation.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, Ndiwari said Mrs. Obugu, who had lived in Sagamu, Ogun State, for about three decades, might not have found her family without the intervention of social media.

He said the breakthrough came after Mr. Olosegun Adenaike and his wife, Nurse Bukola Adenaike, contacted him on Facebook with Mrs. Obugu’s photograph and a video of her speaking the Epie language.

The mayor posted the materials on the Epie-Atissa social media platform, where residents identified her as a native of Ogu community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, who had been missing for about 30 years.

Ndiwari said he immediately contacted the couple and sponsored their transportation from Ogun State to Bayelsa, where they brought Mrs. Obugu to Yenagoa.

He praised the couple for rescuing her from the streets, where she was reportedly scavenging for food, and for providing her with shelter and medical care.

On their arrival, the mayor invited the Deputy paramount ruler of Ogu community, HRH Mission Obugu, who is Mrs. Obugu’s younger brother, along with other family members.

The member representing Yenagoa Constituency I in the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Honourable Ayibanegifa Egba, also attended the emotional reunion.

Ndiwari described the occasion as joyous, with family members expressing gratitude to the Adenaike couple for their compassion and sacrifice.

He said he paid for the couple’s accommodation before they returned to Ogun and ensured Mrs. Obugu was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, for medical evaluation and psychological care.

The mayor pledged to provide Mrs. Obugu with monthly financial support throughout his tenure to assist with her welfare.

The reunion, held on June 24, has attracted widespread praise from residents and community leaders, who described Ndiwari’s intervention as an outstanding example of compassionate and people-centred leadership. (Nigerian Tribune)