The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Orphanage

  • Foundation supports orphanage with food items

    Foundation supports orphanage with food items

    Dee Pride Land Circle of Life Foundation, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to supporting underprivileged communities, on Saturday provided food items and groceries to Bab-Es-salam Orphanage Homes at GRA Ikeja, Lagos.

    Its founder, Oduntan Ekundayo Kolawole, stated that this initiative was part of efforts aimed at supporting the community amidst the rising economic challenges facing the country.

    He said,  providing essential goods to the orphanage homes and financial assistance to its members to support their small scale businesses is the priority of the foundation and we hope to make a positive impact on those in need.

    Read Also: Easter: Makinde’s wife offers orphanages, vulnerable cash, food items

    The NGO also lifted some of their members with N100,000 each to help boost their businesses.

    Speaking on behalf of the orphanage, Nurudeen Bakare, the assistant head of Bab-Es-salam orphanage appreciated the NGO for the kind gesture, noting that the support came in handy.

    One of the beneficiaries, Owolabi Olajumoke also expressed gratitude to the Foundation for the cash donation, noting that contribution will go a long way in helping to revive their moribund businesses.

  • FCTA seals orphanage over alleged trafficking of 23 children

    FCTA seals orphanage over alleged trafficking of 23 children

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has sealed the Priesthood Orphanage, Karonmajigi, after 23 children between ages one and 14 trafficked from Plateau State, were found there.

    The Mandate Secretary,

    Women Affairs Secretariat, Mrs Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, yesterday confirmed the sealing of the orphanage while addressing reporters in Abuja.

    She said the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had authorised the Secretariat to profile and recertify orphanages operating within the nation’s capital.

    She said: “There is no question, yesterday, with immediate effect, that ‘home’ was sealed, shutdown. We have the name of the proprietor of the orphanage home, but we are not calling names now for obvious reasons.

    “When the entire material investigation is concluded, there will be an official presentation of the facts, the findings and the delivery of this intervention we’ve started here today.

    “NAPTIP, as we speak is already on it. Using this as an example, one of the first things I have done is to get approval for the recertification of orphanage homes in Abuja. The Minister has approved that there will be a thorough reprofiling of anything that has to do with orphanage and recertification status of all orphanages in Abuja.”

    She noted that the Women’s Secretariat was already working with the office of the Commissioner of Women Affairs, Plateau State, to reunite the children with their families, some of whom she said had been at the uncertified orphanage since 2019.

    The Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Caroline Dafur, narrated that the proprietors of the orphanage home abandoned the children there, under the care of one Pastor Abraham, in a terrible condition of hunger.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Davido distributes N300million to orphanages

    “Three of the children had escaped and were discovered by officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps, who reported the case to NAPTIP and took the children to the Human Rights Radio, who then notified the Plateau State government and the FCT Women’s Secretariat.

    “We came in yesterday and on reaching here, we were told that they went to church. We kept going from one church to another, looking for them until we found them in a Deeper Life Church, where we were able to pick them up. We went to the home and we saw the place, in fact, it is not supposed to be called a home.

    “The place is just so unkempt. I wonder how the children were sleeping in the small room. Nine girls were sleeping in a very small room with just two mattresses. And then for the boys, they were in a small room too, with two mattresses just on the floor. And I mean, it’s so pathetic the way human beings treat human beings in this country,” she added.

  • Firms donate to orphanage

    Firms donate to orphanage

    Digital charity platform, ProjectGiiV and Heirs Insurance Group, have reached out to the children of Bales of Mercy Orphanage, Lagos, as part of activities to mark the Yuletide.

    Gifts of clothes, food items and essentials were donated not only to the children of the home but to the workers.

    Heirs Insurance Group Communications Manager, Timilehin Adebiyi had described the partnership as a testament of the companies’ commitment to social good.

    “At Heirs Insurance, we believe in championing social good within Nigeria.This donation showcases our commitment to making a positive impact, just as our Heirs Life Essay Championship empowers young minds. We are proud to partner with ProjectGiiV to spread kindness and support such a noteworthy cause,” Adebiyi said.

    Read Also: Yoruba Tennis Club presents cheques to Lagos orphanages

    Founder, ProjectGiiV,  Olamide Jasanya, thanked Heirs Insurance for throwing their weight behind the charity platform and extending goodwill to the orphanage.

     The group said it was the sixth last year and the 18th since ProjectGiiV began operations in 2021.

    He explained that the partnership between ProjectGiiV and Heirs Insurance Group exemplifies the true spirit of the holiday season – a time for giving, sharing, and making a positive difference in the lives of others.

    “It is a great pleasure to be wrapping up the year with our first major corporate partner, Heirs Insurance Group. We share similar visions not just towards social good but also the leveraging of technology and digital tools. While we use ours to promote charitable activities, Heirs Insurance Group is excelling with theirs for insurance penetration. This alliance of purposes gives us great confidence that this partnership is meant to be and is the first of many,” Jasanya said.

    Also present at the event were representatives of ProjectGiiV/Project Coordinator, Toluwanimi Lazarus, and Volunteer Manager Anuoluwapo Akomolafe, among others.

    Receiving the items, the Orphanage expressed her gratitude, describing it as a timely and noble gesture that would go a long way in meeting the needs of the children and helping them experience the joy of the season.

  • Senators Bamidele, Adeola donate N29m to orphanage homes in Abuja, Nasarawa

    Senators Bamidele, Adeola donate N29m to orphanage homes in Abuja, Nasarawa

    The Senate Leader,Opeyemi Bamidele and Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola, have donated N24 million to 13 orphanage homes in Abuja and Nassarawa State.

    The gesture was made to commemorate the celebration of the World Orphans’ Day in Abuja.

    Making the donation at an event organized to mark the day by the wife of Senator Adeola, Mrs. Temitope, through her non-governmental organization, CHADASH, which dedicated to widows and orphans, the two senators donated N12 million each to the orphanages.

    Senator Bamidele also made an additional donation of N5million for CHADASH while other senators also made pledges.

    The benefiting orphanages include Gifted and Talented Orphanage, Facado Orphanage, Cherry Field Orphanage, Christ Bethel Orphanage, Dynasty Orphanage, and JKS Orphanage. Others are Shinning Star Orphanage, Queen Esther Orphanage, Maratha Care Children Home, Osaze Orphanage, Desired Orphanage, Purity Rose Orphanage and Gifted and Talented Home, Nassarawa.

    Senator Adeola who described himself as an orphan having lost both parents stated that there are many challenges and difficulties confronting orphans as they live in sour society adding that like himself, they usually don’t have biological parents to stand up for them when it matters.

    “I want to encourage all of us to be our brothers’ keeper in assisting orphans to properly fit into the society. I recall that even in political field I suffered discrimination as an orphan as some disputed my state of origin for political vindictiveness and may parents were not there to assert my indigene-ship of Ogun State. I am sure that the children before us are all Nigerians with various need and nothing must stop us from making them useful and productive members of the society,” he stated.

    While disputing official estimates of orphans in Nigeria put at 17 million, Senator Adeola said their number would be in the region of 50 million nationwide promising to always participate in any effort, at government and private levels to address the challenges of orphans.

    Read Also: Melaye kicks as INEC declares Ododo Kogi Gov-Elect

    Speaking as the guest of honour of the event which was kickstarted with a keep fit and awareness kilometer walk around Maitama, Abuja, Senator Bamidele stated that with the number of orphans in Nigeria outnumbering the population of many countries in the continent and elsewhere, there is need for proper government policies to address the needs of the orphans in addition to any private efforts by humanitarian and charitable individual and organizations.

    He commended Senator Adeola and his wife for always giving back to the society in various ways, stressing that Senator Adeola is known to be a giver even among his colleagues over the years as he is the “go to” man when you are in need.

    In her welcome address titled: “Caring for the Uncared”, Mrs. Adeola, said to be the first to ever celebrate the World Orphans Day in Nigeria with her NGO, stated that her organization is focused on widows and orphans in the society stressing that beyond giving funds and materials for orphans, important as that is, there is the urgent need for individual to donate/volunteer services and skills for orphans to improve their chances of competing in the society.

    She enumerated her NGO’s accomplishments so far to include commissioning of borehole, donation of cash, household and food items, equipping orphanages with laptops, empowering 1000 widows and vocational training, startup kits and grants for 120 widows adding that we can all invest our time, resources and talents in helping the orphans rebuild their young lives.

    There were different presentations by the orphans including display of karate training, musical rendition and the successful dressing of a doll by a paralytic Down Syndrome orphans who was taught the impossible skill giving her condition.

  • A’Ibom govt takes over orphanage owned by late clergyman

    A’Ibom govt takes over orphanage owned by late clergyman

    The Akwa Ibom state government has taken over the GoodNews Community Humanity, an orphanage owned by the late Archbishop Elijah Mboho in Abak local government area of state.

    This is as Governor Umo Eno and the Senate President Godswill Akpabio paid glowing tributes to the late humanist and clergy who died at the age of 91.

    Archbishop Mboho while alive was reputed for his philanthropy and humanist gestures towards orphans and abandoned children.

    Through the GoodNews Community Humanity, he fed the less privileged children and gave them formal education up to tertiary level.

    Read Also: Akwa Ibom APC governorship candidate expresses shock over tribunal’s verdict

    In order to sustain the legacy of the late cleric, Governor Eno announced the adoption of the orphanage on Friday at the funeral service in honour of the late Archbishop Mboho.

    The funeral was held at the International Headquarters of Goodnews Community International, aka Gospel Village, Midim- Waterside, Abak.

    The governor directed the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare and Office of the First Lady to work out modalities of partnering the GoodNews Community to administer the orphanage, describing it as the late Archbishop Mboho’s signature humanitarian project.

  • A’Ibom govt takes over orphanage of late cleric

    A’Ibom govt takes over orphanage of late cleric

    The Akwa Ibom State Government has taken over GoodNews Community Humanity, an orphanage owned by the late Archbishop Elijah Mboho in Abak local government area.

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno paid glowing tributes to the late humanist and cleric who died at 91.

    Archbishop Mboho was reputed for his philanthropy and humanist gestures towards orphans and abandoned children.

    Through the GoodNews Community Humanity, he fed the less privileged kids and gave them formal education up to tertiary level.

    To sustain the legacy of the late  cleric, Governor Eno announced the adoption of the orphanage on Friday at the funeral service in honour of Archbishop Mboho.

    The funeral was held at the International Headquarters of Goodnews Community International, aka Gospel Village, Midim- Waterside, Abak.

    The Governor directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare and Office the First Lady to work out modalities of partnering the GoodNews Community to administer the orphanage, describing it as the late Archbishop Mboho’s signature humanitarian project.

    He pointed out that the gesture was a testament to the late cleric’s selflessness in serving humanity, assuring of his administration’s readiness to sustain the legacy. 

    According to him: “I know that if Papa was to wake up today his major concern will be what would be the next meal for these children. He lived for them. He gave up everything for them. So I would love to join in preserving that legacy. 

    “Today I am directing that the Ministry of Women Affairs and the first lady should work together as we adopt that orphanage as part of Government orphanages. 

    Read Also: Triangle Nigeria donates N25m automated cinema to orphanage

    “We will not allow the children to be hopeless. So we take them and as long as I remain Governor, we will partner with this institution to take care of the orphanage to sustain the home”

     Akpabio described late Archbishop Mboho as a “genuine servant of God who touched the lives of the less privileged in positive ways”

    Represented by his deputy Chief of Staff, Saviour Enyeikere, Akpabio said the legacy left by the late clergy will remain indelible”.

    Delivering a homily on the theme “What Makes a Man Great” with scriptural reference from Genesis 12:2, the President of New Covenant Christian Ministries, Archbishop Joseph Alexander, likened the late Elijah Mboho’s life of selfless service to God and humanity and his rise to greatness to that of Abraham, the father of faith.

  • Association donates to orphanage

    Immigration Officers Wives Association (IMMOWA) of Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos State, has donated some items to Little Saints Orphanage, Palm Grove, Lagos.

    It donated drinks, water,  rice, salt, noodles, groundnut oil and snacks when it visited the orphanage.

    Its Chairperson, Hajia Aisha Alfa, said the gesture was to show love to the children.

    “This donation is to show the children our love and to let them know that we are with them in spirit, although we don’t see them. It is also to show our motivation and appreciation to them,” she added.

    Alfa said the association in the past donated items to other orphanages, “but this is our first time at Little Saints Orphanage.”

    She urged all to show orphanage children love and care.

    “To be an orphan does not mean God does not love you. It is not good for a child to be abandoned. Anyone who could carry a child for nine months should be able to care, cater for and show love to the child, because some people are out there who do not have children and desire to have their own,” she said.

    The founder of the orphanage, Rev Dele George, said “This is the first time IMMOWA will be visiting us and we are thankful. We can see their donations everywhere.”

  • Prison inmates decries dumping of children in orphanages

    Inmates serving jail terms in various prisons in Anambra State have been cautioned against dumping of their children in orphanages in the State.

    A non-governmental organisation, Greater Awka Allies who gave the warning during a visit by its members to various orphanage in the state capital, said it was wrong to ‘imprison’ children in orphanages because their parents were to serve jail terms.

    Speaking to newsmen in Awka, Coordinator of the group, Mr Chinemerem Oguegbe, insisted that such children should rather be handed over to their close relations or be enrolled in regular schools.

    He said, “We have discovered that a greater number of children in orphanage homes are children of prison inmates, who come here to dump them to go and serve their prison terms.

    Read Also: Boko Haram: Don’t panic, Gaidam tell communities

    “This should not be so. A parent who is going to serve prison term should drop his or her children with relatives who will give them better care, than exposing them by bringing and dumping them here.

    “Government has to do something about this. Children of convicts should be handed over to their uncles or relations. Keeping them here is not healthy for them.

    “There is no reason these children should not be given basic education which is nearly free in Anambra.”

    Oguegbe charged the children to be of good behaviour, pray constantly and make the most of every opportunity and experience they had.

    He pledged the organization’s readiness to ensure that children in orphanages in the State have access to quality health care as well as healthy environment through the provision of basic infrastructures in government-owned homes.

    Also speaking, a Consultant Dermatologist with the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Dr. Chibuzo Okpala, promised to assemble team of medical doctors who would frequently visit the orphanages to provide basic health care to the children.

  • GIMM gives to orphanage

    Activities to mark the first anniversary of the Great Ife Mainland Metro (GIMM), Lagos branch of alunmi association of the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, are in top gear.

    Yesterday, members of the association paid a visit to the Babs-Es-Salam Home, GRA Ikeja where they gave the children lots of food items and drinks.

    Speaking at the orphanage, chairperson of the association, Adekunbi Akin-Taylor said “we chose to walk from Toyin Round About, Allen to Babs-Es-Salam Home, GRA Ikeja to donate our widow’s mite.”

    She said she hopes the association will make the visit annually.

    Responding, the coordinator of the orphanage, Ustadh Hassan Tahir said “I am happy that they came and believe that their support will go a long way in alleviating the children’s problems.”

    On her part, a member of GIMM and Member of the British Empire who flew in from Graford to attend the event, Dorcas Fagborun, said “As believers, it is important for us to look after orphans and widows so when I saw that GIMM was going to support, I decided to join because these children are the future of the country.”

  • Firm donates to orphanage

    Africa’s mobile phone giant, itel Mobile has partnered Iknorbert Communications to interact with the children and donate food and educational materials to the home.

    The Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, tagged “itel’s Love Always on campaign”, exemplifies itel Mobile’s contribution to impacting humanity positively by giving back to the society, representing its lasting identity as a corporate entity.

    Country Marketing Manager Jeff Tang said: “At itel Mobile, we are passionate about helping others in their communities and putting a smile on their faces in every little way possible. We look for ways to make a positive difference in every life we encounter, and this is done through our CSR programs.

    “Our brand is beyond tech and the need to buy our smartphones, we also seek to improve the welfare of the people we serve hence our focus on improving education, community development and health.”