By Aderogba George and Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Chadash Empowerment Foundation, an Abuja based NGO, has called for more support for children in orphanages across the country.
Mrs Temitope Adeola, Founder/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the foundation, made the call at an event to celebrate the 2023 World Orphans Day, with the theme “Care for the uncared”.
The United Nations Organisation (UNO) had fixed Nov. 13 to celebrate the annual World Orphans Day.
The CEO of the foundation, who is the wife of Sen. Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, stated that there were 17.5 million orphans in Nigeria, as estimated by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs as at 2015.
She said that the predicament of the vulnerable orphans, especially the young ones, was enormous, but called for support from all well meaning Nigerians to reduce the challenges they were passing through.
“I know a lot of people do not know that there is a day set aside to celebrate the orphans in the society and some might know but not privileged to attend any program in that light.
“I am glad you are here, and I take this opportunity to welcome you to your first World Orphans Day celebration which we themed “Care for the uncared”.
“World Orphans Day is a day people around the globe raise awareness on the plight of orphans and provide and assist them to be self-reliant and sustain themselves.
“I am delighted that the foundation could be part of the champions, to lead the cause of bringing awareness to the plight of vulnerable orphans in our society.
“We are using this programme to encourage Nigerians to start an effective initiative for orphans in their various communities. Every 18 seconds, a child becomes an orphan, and over 90 per cent of orphans will never be adopted,” she said.
The CEO also used the opportunity to seek an end to incessant violence in the country, and pray for peace to reign in the land.
She said that the foundation had set out to bridge the gap between stakeholders, propagate the need to support orphans, provide vocational training, encourage a sustainable standard of living, and provide quality nutrition for them.
She, therefore, enjoined stakeholders to formulate joint strategies to address the plight of those vulnerable children in various communities.
The event featured a road walk with the presence of some prominent orphanages in Abuja.
In attendance were some senators’ wives , federal lawmakers and other relevant stakeholders who promised to support the homes and foundation.
