Mariam Akinloye
The Executive Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Adedayo Ladega, on Monday, led a delegation to the Lifeline Orphanage Home, Owode – Ibeshe in Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area, to show love to the orphans in commemoration of the 40th birthday anniversary of Mr Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.
Hon. Ladega extended his gesture to the centre by donating food and other items which included bags of rice, cartons of drinks, packs of indomie noodles, packs of biscuits and toiletries among others.
Former Council Leader, Ikorodu LG, Mr Azeez Jimoh Olosugbo, explaining the reason behind the Chairman’s gesture to the management of the care home, emphasised that Hon Ladega extended his humanitarian gesture to the children to commemorate the 40th birthday anniversary of his friend, Seyi Tinubu.
“We are here today as lovers of Seyi Tinubu group. We are here to commemorate his 40th birthday anniversary. He is a friend and a leader to some of us, and our council chairman happens to be his very close ally.
“We are visiting here with the chairman and his Vice to show love to our children, felicitate with them, and extend our love.
“All thanks to the chairman of Ikorodu local government in person of Abdul-Lateef Adedayo Ladega who deemed it fit that we should have this session with the children to commemorate Seyi Tinubu’s day. We are celebrating him with children, because he has been supportive of us and the entire Nigerian youths, and our dear chairman felt that we need to support others too. That is why you are seeing us and his team here”, Olosugbo said.
Ikorodu LG boss, Hon. Adedayo Ladega, in his remarks, said that his team was identifying with the orphanage home to thank the management for caring for the children.
“We are happy to be here, and we are truly touched by all we met. We heard about your organisation through a brother and a friend. So, we decided to visit you and encourage you”.
He lauded Seyi Tinubu’s impact on youths in Nigeria, and his contributions to nation – building, while wishing him many fulfilling birthday anniversaries.
On the orphanage manager’s request, Ladega promised to donate materials to make the road leading to the home accessible.
Mrs Yemi Aileru, Program Manager, Child Lifeline, welcoming the chairman and his team, said that the home was established 31 years ago by a British woman, Mrs Mariam Sijuade whom she said married to an Abeokuta man.
She said that Nrs Sijuade’s legacy to care for abandoned children has continued since her demise.
“After her death, the legacy continued which was to take care of young children on the streets. When you go to Oshodi and Mushin, you see some of these children whom some of us see as dangerous children. But not all of them are dangerous.
“Some of them found themselves on the streets due to circumstances at home, and nobody cares to listen to them.
“So, what we do in child lifeline when we have encounter with these children, is that we ask questions, and from their responses, we encourage and make them see reason why home is best for them to be and not the street”, she said.
The manager, who said that the home does not encourage institutionalization of children at the home, added that they usually reunite them with their families, and opt to cater for their upkeep and education when they see that such family cannot take care of them.
She also added that those that are resident with them also have access to education, and are also trained to acquire skills.
Among those that were part of the chairman’s team to the orphanage home were Vice Chairman, Ikorodu LG, Hon. Babawale Bisiriyu Alogba, Council Leader, Councilor Wasiu Sotomiwa and others.
