A philanthropist and founder of Tabitha Foundation, Mrs. Abiodun Soyombo has organised a party for the Modupe Cole Memorial Home for Children at Yaba, Lagos.
Mrs. Soyombo, a staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said since its inception five years ago, the founder has been supporting the home through various gift items to cater for their welfare.
However, a new dimension was added this year with the introduction of New Year party for the inmates. As early as 2:00 p.m., family members, well-wishers and friends of the founder dared the scorching sun after Sunday service and stormed the home.
Among the dignitaries present at the event were the husband of the founder and Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, Prof. Omololu Soyombo; Mrs. Florence Akingbade; Mrs. Gbemisola Phillips; Senior Pastor, Stillwaters Church, Ikorodu, Pastor Taiwo Odubiyi; former Matron of the Home, Mrs. Mary Onabanjo, Ms. Sola Osisanya; Principal of the Home, Mrs. Folake Durowoju and Prof. Duro Ajeyalemi.
The establishment of the foundation was informed by a revelation Mrs. Soyombo said she had when she turned 50 in 2009.
“It is important to assist the poor because when you do, you will receive what money cannot buy. Mine is a passion to help the needy.
Throwing more light on the mission and vision of her foundation, Soyombo said its aim is to provide hope and future for the under-privileged people in the society like the handicapped, orphans and widows.
Modupe Cole has been a pilot project of Tabitha Foundation since 2007, a platform through which the downtrodden are taken care of.
She noted that it is not easy meeting the enormous needs of the home, but reiterated her commitment to continue to support the home on regular basis, even as she said that plans are on how to expand its activities to other homes.
Mrs. Soyombo praised her husband’s support for her passion for the less-privileged people over the years.
Thanking the foundation for its continual support over the years, the Principal of the home, Mrs. Folake Durowoju could not hide her joy as she showered praises on the founder for her kindness to the home, especially the end of the year party for the inmates.
“It amazes me when individuals go out of their way to give succour to the less-privileged people in the society. This is not the first time the foundation had visited the home to render one assistance or the other,” she said.
Appraising the history and activities of the home, Mrs. Durowoju said the home was established in 1960 by the late Mrs. Modupe Cole to take care of children with disability and the mentally-challenged.
Noting that the institute is not really a home where hopeless children are dumped, Durowoju said over the years, some of the children are being empowered to live meaningful life.
And for those who are bedridden, Durowoju said they are not completely condemned or abandoned as they are being catered for by physiotherapists.
“We have trained and special teachers who look after them because we believe there is ability in disability,” she said.
High points of the occasion were the facility tour of the home by the foundation and presentation of gift items to the home.
Items presented were toiletries and food items. Members of staff of the home also went home with various gift items courtesy of the foundation.
Mrs. Soyombo appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to support the needy and the less-privileged in the society.
This, she said, would not only alleviate their suffering, but will also give them a sense of belonging.
