AUTHORITY of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin has pledged to support an Ilorin-based Non-Governmental Organisation, the Islamic Orphanage Foundation with mentorship of their wards in order to boost their morale and capacity to become assets to the society.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Noah Yusuf, stated this on Sunday at the annual programme of the foundation held in Ilorin the Kwara State capital.

The varsity's helmsman who was represente by the Dean of Student Affairs, Mr Abdulazeez Lawal, assured that: “Al-Hikmah University being the first Islamic University in Nigeria, will support the foundation in terms of mentorship and other areas.”

ROYAL NEWS reports that at the event, the foundation supported orphans with various start-up tools worth several millions of naira which were handed over to 12 people as a way of making them self reliant and independent.

In his remarks, the chairman of the foundation, Architect Saifullahi Alege, said: “The annual celebration of orphans under our care started in 2002, to give details of our activities over the years to our stakeholders, and also to have merriment with our children as well as to appreciate those who have done well in their academic pursuits or vocational trainings respectively.

“Among our achievements in the previous year was that the foundation was able to complete its secretariat and we can also boost that 124 graduates among our orphans of which we have Medical Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, architects and other professionals. Luckily, some of these orphans have started contributing to the foundation, notably, one of them recently gave us the sum of N5million. This indeed, came as a big joy to us.”

Speaking on the challenges facing the foundation, the Chairman said “The greatest challenge we are facing is accommodation for our orphans, though, we have started to build their hostels at the foundation's centre but because of the cost that we are incurring on these orphans, the construction work of hostels has not been going as expected.

“We are soliciting for assistance to enable us complete the project and other expenses of the foundation, such as payment of their school fees which always cost us nothing less than five million every term or session.

The Chairman also appreciated the gesture of the Federal and Kwara State governments in terms of enrolment of orphans for skill acquisition programmes and other individuals that have been supporting in their little ways.

Kits distributed includes; sewing machines, hairdressing and weathering tools, while some outstanding students in primary and secondary schools under the foundation were given various gifts as a way of encouragement.

You can also reach out to the foundation through the details below:

ISLAMIC ORPHANAGE FOUNDATION Current UBA – 1010352253
Saving UBA-2024366975.
Sterling bank – 0500330136.
Monthly Contribution Account
Sterling bank – 0500765488.
NO 8, MINNA ROAD BEHIND
ALPHA HOTEL, ADEWOLE HOUSING ESTATE,
ADEWOLE ILORIN, KWARA STATE.
mail: islamicorphanagefoundation@yahoo.com.