Lagos State Chief Judge (CJ) Justice Opeyemi Oke on Wednesday pledged the judiciary’s continued support to inmates of Bethesda Home for the Blind (BHB), Idi-Oro, Mushin and orphans and abandoned children at Optimal Children Home (Orphanages), Isheri, Magodo, Lagos.
She spoke when she, some judges and heads of department of the judiciary went to donate some items to both homes.
Justice Oke told the visually-impaired and BHB management that the judiciary would continue to support them.
“The Lagos State Judiciary will never forget you. Anywhere I go after my tenure, I will continue to remind my successors on the need to continue to assist you because I want you to be happy every time,” she said.
The CJ, who expressed happiness about the academic excellence of the visually-impaired and their determination to succeed in life, assured those yet to pay their universities’ admission fees of help.
“As long as you are dedicated to your studies, help will always come your way,” she said.
Justice Oke hailed one of the inmates, Mustapha Yusuf, a final year student of Philosophy at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, for his talent in Gospel music.
Answering reporters’ questions, the CJ described the visit as significant, as it was part of her programmes towards her exit from office.
“We need to sow seeds into many lives, particularly the less privileged. We shouldn’t leave everything to the government. I am fulfilled that despite their challenges, they still have the heart and courage to thank God for His mercies,” she added.
Earlier, Philomena Cyprian, a 300-level student of Guidance and Counselling at the University of Ibadan, said 86 inmates of the BHB were in universities across the country.
She said 21 of them would be graduating this year, adding that 25 wrote this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
“Your attitude to the less privileged is not something we can sweep aside. Your life is worthy of emulation and has removed the disorders in our hearts. Our joy is beyond measure”, Philomena said.
At Optimal Children Home, Isheri, Magodo, the founder, Mrs. Lola Ayo-Adedeji, said there were 26 children, with 22 in schools.
She said two orphans at the home at present lived abroad.
Ayo-Adedeji said she picked the children from refuse dump, where they were abandoned by their parents, adding that the CJ’s visit and donation of electrical appliances would encourage her to do more.
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