By Stephen Adeleye
Senator Tunde Ogbeha has donated foodstuffs worth millions of naira, donated cash and granted academic scholarships to some motherless children at Ministry of Mercy (MOM) Orphanage in Lokoja, Kogi State.
The scholarship offer was part of the former Military Governor of old Bendel and Akwa Ibom states’ outreach to the less privileged in Kogi to mark his 74th birthday on Sunday in Lokoja.
Represented by his wife, Mrs, Esther Tunde-Ogbeha, the retired Army General donated cash and foodstuffs worth millions of Naira for the upkeep of children at the orphanage.
Mrs Ogbeha commended the management of MOM Orphanage for their dedicated service to God and humanity. She called on well meaning Nigerians to support orphans and other less privileged in the society.
''You are always in my prayers, at all times. It is obvious the children here are doing well, thank you for taking good care of them.
“I must commend the management of this orphanage and all care givers that have made sacrifices to ensure these children are well taken care of.
“My husband’s birthday comes up on September 1 but we have decided to start the celebrations with these wonderful children. Thank you for your regular prayers,” she said.
The proprietor of MOM Orphanage, Dr Daniel Aduojo, thanked the Ogbehas for always reaching out to the facility, saying the children in both of their orphanages in Lokoja and Dekina Local Government Areas, were always excited with the Ogbehas’ visit.
“Every time you come here to put smiles on our faces, you are making God happy because he calls these children his brothers and sisters.
Quoting from the Bible from the book of Matthew 25:31-40, he said: ''And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me''.
The proprietor stressed whatever we do to the children especially the orphans and the less privilege ones, we are doing it unto God.
“Here in Lokoja, we have less than 100 children but in Otutulu, we have about three hundred children. They are mostly motherless. Most of their mothers died during childbirth. Others were abandoned babies.
“Worried by the maternal mortality rate, my wife and I came up with a vision to establish a medical centre where pregnant women can access.
“In the last four years, all caesarian operation in our medical centre has been free of charge to ensure our mothers deliver safely.
''We want our mothers to live, take care of their children themselves and reap the fruits of their labour,” Aduojo said.
He prayed that God would reward the Ogbehas abundantly and grant them long life and prosperity in good health and sound mind.
The children and caregivers at the orphanage joined Mrs Ogbeha to cut the former Senator’s 74th birthday cake. They prayed that God grant him long life and enlarge his coast.
Items donated include: Jerricans of palm oil, many tubers of yam, 10 bags of 50kg of rice, several cartons of Honeywell Instant Noodles, bags of gari, cartons of: Infant food, detergents, biscuits, and cartons of vegetable oil.
Others were: Packs of diapers, cheese balls, and pop corn, cartons of: soaps, Honeywell spaghetti, and peak sachets, and several bags of semovita, among others.
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