Date: 2014-08-31

An Ilorin based charity organisation, Islamic Orphanage Foundation (IOF) has asked the state government to provide employment for one of the product of the foundation who had graduated as a medical doctor from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

The foundation also said it was in dire need of more funds to sponsor the 187 Orphans under its care as many of them have graduated into secondary and higher institutions of learning in their studies.

The Chairman of the foundation, Arch. Seifullah Alege, stated at the weekend during the 2014 Islamic Orphanage Foundation Day held in Ilorin.

He also stressed that IOF began operation 12 years ago and has produced a medical doctor who is willing to serve in his state as his own contribution to service to humanity. The foundation has also produced three engineers.

According Alege, "The foundation which took off with 15 orphans in 2002 now has 187 orphans under its care. No fewer than 53 children are currently in various higher institutions of learning, 61 in Secondary Schools, 54 in primary schools while seven of them are in kindergarten.

"About six children who could not cope in schools have been enrolled in different vocations out of which three of them have graduated from aluminium, tailoring and lubrication training outfits and have since been empowered with working tools."

The foundation's chairman said it had in the previous years produced seven graduates from various higher institutions including the medical doctor from ABU that is now seeking employment wit the state government.

He however thanked all those who have been supporting the foundation and decried the attitudes of the society noting that it was the same set of few individuals that have been supporting the foundation since its establishment.

In his remarks, Justice Saliu Saidu of Federal High Court, Lagos, disclosed that said mothers and guardians of the orphans have greater roles to play in moulding their children to become responsible citizens more than the foundation or any other groups can do.

He also charged them to brace up for the challenges of raising the children saying the death of their spouses should not be used as an excuse to relinquish their parental responsibilities.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Education Science and Human Capital Development, Alhaji Saka Onimago, commended the foundation for ensuring that the orphans had access to education.

The Commissioner who was represented by Alhaji Imam AbdulKadir, also assured that the state government will always support the foundation where necessary.