By Justina Auta
A firm, FBS Reinsurance Limited, has called on stakeholders to invest in the education, basic needs and showing love to orphans and vulnerables to promote Nigeria’s security.
Mr Fola Daniel, the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer, made the appeall when they donated N600,000, electronics, food stuffs, sewing machines and grinding machines, among other items, to two orphanages on Sunday in Abuja.
The homes visited included Halal Children’s Homes, Lifecamp; and Heritage Orphanage Home, Gwarimpa.
.Daniel, while commending the caregivers for their love, sacrifices and commitment to the children, encouraged other stakeholders to contribute towards the growth and development of the children.
According to him, ignoring or failure to support orphans, vulnerable and street children will further expose them to negative vices that will be detrimental to them, the nation and the society at large.
“We should all join hands to do the needful, to help the less privileged, vulnerable and orphaned children in the society.
“By doing so, Nigeria will be a safe society and we can sleep with our two eyes closed. “But if we do not look after them, we are developing an army of bandits tomorrow and you will not enjoy the comfort of your home.
“The society is not safe because some of us neglect to look after the less privileged, vulnerable and help them. If we had done this, may be, Nigeria would be a safer place,’’ he said.
He explained further that the initiative was part of their corporate social responsibility to identify with the less privileged, show love and render support to them.
“My call to all other corporate, social and private individuals is to sow a seed of love in places like this. And not forgetting those who have given their lives to these children need to be supported and encouraged.
“No government can take care of all the problems in society.
“ So we need to join hands with corporate institutions, the government and local authorities to do what they are doing and make sure that we can extend assistance,‘’ he said.
The CEO further reiterated their commitment sustaining the initiatives, especially in areas of education, basic needs and food.
“Once we know this is one of their needs, we will be ready to support them because these children need to be educated, if they are not educated, they become a danger to society and to all of us,’’ he said. Mrs Afiniki Godsent, representing Heritage Home, while expressing their appreciation on behalf of the orphans and vulnerable children, solicited for educational support for 14 children currently residing.
“Many of them are on scholarships and the young ones are supposed to start school anytime soon, but the cost of living is high, which will prove very difficult for us.
“So we solicit for scholarship support to enable them to have access to quality education that will make them productive in the future,’’ she said.
Similarly, Halima Badamosi, Administrative Officer, Halal Children’s Home, said they had 55 children, ranging from seven months to 18 years, residing in their two home branches.
Badmosi added that the interventions were timely as some of the items donated would enable the children to acquire skill acquisition that will further empower them apart from the formal education.
She however solicited for donation of solar energy due to the epileptic power supply and high cost of maintaining their generator, as an alternative power supply.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the children at the various orphanage homes expressed excitement over the gift items. (NAN)