Adebutu, Others Seek Support For Orphans
Worried by the hardship faced by many orphans in the country, billionaire businessman, Sir Kesington Adebutu, and renowned industrialist, Chief Solomon Kayode Onafowokan, have urged Nigerians to always come to the rescue of this category of people.
The duo who spoke at the launch of Blessed Assurance Orphanage’s boys/girls dormitories and residential block of four flats in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State noted that such gesture would go a long way in promoting a healthy society and reducing crime rate.
Former Vice Chancellor, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Prof Kayode Makinde, and chairman of Ikenne Local Government, Hon. Rotimi Akinsanya who were among the dignitaries that graced the event stressed the need to support the orphans.
Adebutu, who was represented by his son and a member of the House of Representatives, Oladipupo Adebutu, donated the sum of N5million for take-off of the project, which was conceived by one Mrs. Shepherdess Edouard.
He urged well-meaning citizens to support initiatives by non-governmental organisations to ameliorate the living conditions of abandoned babies and less privileged children.
Onafowokan, who was chairman of the occasion, said Nigeria needed more orphanages, adding that the establishment of Blessed Assurance Orphanage (BAO) in the town was a right step in right direction.
On his part, the ex-vice chancellor of Babcock university promised to grant scholarship awards to three children of the orphanage from primary to tertiary education level.
Makinde, who is the chief executive officer of Africa Educare consulting company, also said the orphanage would be provided with laboratory equipment.
Earlier in his address, the chairman of BAO Board of Trustees, Otunba Adeleke Adesina, expressed dismay that over 17 million orphans and vulnerable children exist in the country “who are in serious life-threatening conditions.”
He called for concerted effort to salvage the situation and give special attention to the plight of orphans.
“We must become co-authors of a new story that rewrites the future of orphans and vulnerable children, otherwise, millions of young children will join the ranks of millions more who are most likely to be malnourished, drop out of school, have limited access to health and social services and are more prone to exploitation and terrible abuses, leading to devastating resultant effects for the society,” Adesina said.
