Mariam Akinloye
In continuation of his care for the less privileged and orphans, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, dedicated a day to visit the Lagos State Rehabilitation Centre at Owutu, Ikorodu and Divine Heritage Orphanage Home at Gintin, where he celebrated his 10th year anniversary with inmates and orphans.
At the centres, the royal father and members of his entourage showed love, interacted and prayed for the inmates and children and in commemoration of his anniversary, Oba Shotobi donated bags of rice, garri, and beans, as well as cartons of bottled water, soft drinks at the centres, while one of his guests, Dan Baba, supported with packs of rice and garri.
The royal father and Dan Baba also pledged monetary donations at both centres during the Monday.
Speaking during the visit to the Rehabilitation Centre, the royal father assured inmates that he would support their full rehabilitation and reintegration back into the society to achieve their dreams.
“We have decided to come here to show you love and support you, especially the new children. I pray that God will continue to be with you, and you shall succeed beyond expectations.
“We are also going to assist you beyond today. I will be among those that will always come around to assist you too.
“We want to make corrections and we are ready to make the corrections now. We are ready because this place is not for you, you must get your medication and make use of them and come out and we will find a way to assist you,” Oba Shotobi assured them.
He charged them to be calm and further reassured them that the officials will take good care of them.
Ayangbure also urged them on the need to listen to instructions and directives from the officials while also adding that they must always be thankful and prayerful to God.
The royal father at the Divine Heritage Orphanage Home, while stating the visit was his first at the place also enjoined the orphans on the need to always adhere strictly to instructions from their guidance counsellors.
He stated that celebrating his anniversary with them is a deliberate action, and also stated that the society is expecting good conduct from them for them to be adopted and given new lives.
As part of his educational support initiative, Oba Shotobi also pledged to support the children with scholarships from primary to secondary schools.
The revered royal father thanked the government, and encouraged members of the public to always partner and support the government.
A sub – anniversary committee chairman, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, also speaking on the purpose and the significance of the visit said:
“Specifically, we have visited the government rehabilitation centre at Owutu and we have also been to the private orphanage, the purpose of this in terms of celebration is that leaders in the society should remember that there are some categories who are vulnerable; who are homeless and who are hungry and so it is the right thing for the leader particularly the Oba, to remember that these people are in dire need.
“Therefore, it is a blessing for the Kabiyesi to remember such people in the community and visit them physically apart from making provisions and promises, it is also an opportunity to appeal to the government to add to what they’ve been doing.
“At Owutu, we were told that about 1800 inmates are there. That’s a large number, and this ranges from little children as little as 1 year or 2 years old to women, girls and all that. It is good that Kabiyesi remember this as part of the celebration. Celebration is not just about merriments, flamboyancy, flaunting who you are but about being the leader of all categories. That is the significance of what happened today,” Asipa Kaoli said.
Dan Baba, who supported the Kabiyesi’s gesture at the two centres urged privileged members in the society to cultivate the habit of giving back and supporting the less privileged.
While congratulating Oba Shotobi on his 10th coronation anniversary, Dan Baba added that he is supporting the royal father in developing the youth and Ikorodu where he was born and grew up.
Officials in charge of the two Rehabilitation Centres and the orphanage home appreciated the royal father and his team for the gesture.
