A non-governmental organisation, operating under the aegis of the ‘Islamic orphanage foundation’ has expressed worries over how incessant killings across the country are adding to the number of orphans in Nigeria.
Expressing this worry was the chairman of the foundation Architect Sefiullahi Alege, during the annual orphanage day and empowerment programme for some orphans who had graduated in various skills, to enable them to establish and be on their own.
Alege, addressing journalists at the venue of the event, held at the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) secretariat, Ilorin, Kwara state said “We appeal to Federal and State Governments, Traditional and Spiritual leaders to address the issue of security in the country.
“As we all know that the result of this will produce a lot of orphans all over. Our IDP centres are also not safe with incessant attacks on innocent people.
“The increase in the numbers of orphans in the society has contributed to our challenges of catering for their needs, especially in the area of payment of school fees among others.
“We want to see the whole scenario as being politically motivated and the root of the whole killing must be identified and the culprits brought to book”
The chairman of the foundation acknowledged receipts of N780,000 from Nigeria hip hop artist, David Adeleke, aka Davido early this year being part of his support for orphans and as well expressed appreciation to the President Mohammadu Buhari for allowing the Nigeria Customs Service to donate food items, clothes, and other individuals who have been contributing to the foundation.
He, however, appeal to the public for further assistance, stating that the foundation presently had 276 under its care and could not admit more orphans for the past five years due to a lack of adequate funds to cater for the ones they had.
Meanwhile, the chairman further disclosed that out of the orphans under its care they had produced 65 graduates from various tertiary institutions across the country and noted that one of them Sidikat Agaka graduated with a first-class degree, from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna state.
Alege also thanked Allah for keeping the children healthy through the support of the free medical services by the Medical Director and staff of Matrix Medical Centre at Adewole, Ilorin
He also disclosed that construction work at the IOF Multipurpose Centre is stealthy in progress and implored all their stakeholders and the general public “to come to our aid in completing the multipurpose centre.”
The chairman further enumerated other challenges facing the orphanage, which, according to him, majorly finances and called on well-meaning individuals, corporate bodies and governments at all levels to come to the aid of the Foundation, noting that payment of the children’s school fees, our students at higher institutions, JSS 3 and SS 3 would be required to pay at once as they resume the new academic session, while there is just a paltry sum left in the coffers of the Foundation.
Some of the orphans who spoke with our correspondent expressed their appreciation for the management of the foundation and every individual that has been contributing to the progress of the foundation and pray Allah for protection and mercies for them.
The Foundation account are;
ISLAMIC ORPHANAGE FOUNDATION Current UBA – 1010352253
Saving UBA-2024366975.
Sterling bank – 0500330136.
Monthly Contribution Account
Sterling bank – 0500765488.
NO 8, MINNA ROAD BEHIND
ALPHA HOTEL, ADEWOLE HOUSING ESTATE,
ADEWOLE ILORIN, KWARA STATE.
mail: islamicorphanagefoundation@yahoo.com.
