Kunle Adelabu
-As IKODASS donates food, clothing materials to Owutu rehabilitation centre
The Chairman of the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru, on Thursday, December 17, 2020, charged parents, guardians and families not to abandon their children, wards and family member at the rehabilitation centre.
He gave the advice when members of IKODASS visited the Lagos State Rehabilitation & Training Centre in Ikorodu to donate food and clothing items to the inmates.
Items such as rice, beans, spaghetti, indomie and clothes were donated to the centre located at Owutu in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area of Ikorodu Division, Lagos, Southwest, Nigeria.
The Owutu Rehabilitation Centre has over 1000 inmates which include boys, girls, men and women.
The Chairman of IKODASS, Otunba Abiru, speaking at the centre, charged parents not to abandon their wards at the centre.
“For those that still have their wards here, we will advice and enjoin them to come here regularly to visit them.
“And once they have been certified to be okay, they should come and take them home and make them feel the presence of their family”.
He said that would help to reduce pressure on the facility.
While further assuring that IKODASS will continue to assist those in need in the society, Otunba Abiru also thanked the Lagos State Government for looking after the centre.
“We are using this occasion to thank the state government for preserving this centre and also appealing to the elites, particularly those in Ikorodu, to support this centre. The government alone cannot do everything, hence assistance from individuals and groups are needed”, he appealed.
“IKODASS, as the umbrella body of all clubs and associations in Ikorodu, will continue to do what will elevate humanity”.
Otunba Abiru also thanked the staff of the centre for taking care of inmates put under their care and also prayed for them.
Alhaja Olanrewaju Faosat A,T, the IKODASS Welfare Visitation Committee, while presenting the items to the centre on behalf of IKODASS, said that humanitarian activities are part of the association’s duty, especially reaching out to the less privileged and those in need in the society.
She assured the centre of continuous support from IKODASS.
The official of the centre that received the donated items, thanked IKODASS for its intervention and requested for more support from the socio – cultural organization.
He also appealed to members of the public to continue to support the rehabilitation centre with food, toiletries, clothes and other assistance, stating that government alone cannot do it all.
He further enjoined members of IKODASS to assist in playing the role of an intermediary between the centre and the community in encouraging parents and guardians of inmates not to abandon them at the facility, stating that inmates that have been certified okay need family and friends support.
