Date: 2015-08-05

Government at all levels have been urged strengthen their support and assistance towards the wellbeing of children in the orphanage homes to improve and guarantee their upbringing in the face porus economic status of the nation. The Chairman of the Islamic Orphanage Foundation, (IOF), Architect Sefiullahi Alege, stated this at weekend while speaking at the group's 2015 Orphanage Day.

He said that the foundation has successfully produced ?graduates across many disciplines while some are in different tertiary, secondary as well ?as primary schools across the country. Others are engaged in trades and vocational training.

Alege who disclosed that 205 Orphans are currently under the care of the Foundation frowned at political office holders in Kwara state as well as other wealthy individuals for not fulfilling their promises towards alleviating the sufferings of the children among others.

According to him, "?The foundation which started some 13 years ago now has about 205 children in its care with 55 in tertiary institutions. We also produced eight graduates this year while a child was also offered admission to study Medicine and Surgery in one of Nigeria 's university.

"Out of the total income of N3,057,710, we spent N2,625,910 for the upkeep of the children for the year ended. We appeal for more support to further meet up with the numerous challenges ahead of us.

"Most of the politicians that pledged their support for the wellbeing of the children failed to keep to their promises."

Also speaking, a member of the foundation, Hajia Habibat Saidu, stated that the greatest challenge facing the foundation is paying of school fees of the children even as she solicited the support of wealthy Nigerians to support the foundation to enable it meet the needs of the orphans.

"Some parents of the orphans were very much comfortable economically before their death... Only God knows whose turn to die leaving behind promising children", she added.

While thanking the foundation for her effort in the society, one Madam Deborah stressed that IOF has reflected a sincere inter- religious harmony among Nigerians by assisting both Muslim and non-Muslim children.

She added that the foundation is taking good care of her grandchildren after the death of her daughter some four years ago. She therefore urged government agencies and philanthropists to support the foundation in its quest to find succour for the suffering and helpless orphans