Aremo Urges Collaboration To Improve Welfare Of Orphans In Nigeria

-Donates Food Items To Orphanage Home To Mark Birthday

Former Special Adviser on Youth and Sports under the leadership of Gboyega Oyetola in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and an aspirant for the House of Representatives for Osogbo, Olorunda, Orolu and Irepodun, Adegboyega Abdulateef Adelabu Aremo, has called on government at all levels to provide stronger support for orphanages and homes for vulnerable children.

Adelabu made the call on Monday during a visit to a faith-based motherless home in Osun State, the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association (FOMWAN) orphanage home, where he marked his birthday with the donation of items to children and staff of the facility.

“If you travel abroad, you will see places where people can access free food, clothes, and other essentials through government support. If individuals can do this much, imagine what will happen if the government comes to their assistance.”

He noted that the orphanage, run by private individuals, relies largely on personal contributions, adding that government intervention would enable such homes to expand their impact.

The APC chieftain explained that the outreach was part of his personal tradition of giving back, rather than a politically motivated act.

“Birthday is a time to give gratitude to Almighty Allah. After prayers, the next thing is to give. This is about appreciating God and supporting the less privileged,” Adelabu said, adding that he had been visiting the home for years, even before venturing into politics.

Administrator of the home, Mrs. Adeyemi Rukayatu, described the gesture as impactful, noting that the donated items would go a long way in supporting the children’s welfare.

“All the things provided are very useful and beneficial to our children,” she said. “We appreciate this kind gesture, and we call on others to emulate it.”

She added that the home occasionally faces shortages and appealed to both government and members of the public for continued assistance.

“We have children in higher institutions, and their education requires support. We urge the government and well-meaning Nigerians to continue to assist us in any way they can,” she said.

Also speaking, the Director General of Campaign for Adelabu’s team, Mr Shola Oyeduntan, gave further insight into the initiative, stressing that it is a long-standing tradition rather than a one-off gesture.

“This is not something we just started. This is maybe the tenth consecutive time we are coming here. It has always been part of what my principal does, giving back to the less privileged from what God has given to him,” he said.

He added that the visit was specifically tied to marking Adelabu’s birthday through service.

“Today is his birthday, and we decided to celebrate it here by identifying with the children and appreciating God for preserving his life for another year,” Oyeduntan stated.

Responding to concerns about political timing, he insisted the outreach was not influenced by elections.

“We are not doing this because of any political season. This has been our practice for years. If you ask them here, they will confirm that we have always come to support them,” he said.

Oyeduntan also explained why the team consistently visits the same orphanage.
“This home is one of the best we have in the state. It is faith-based, well-organised, and you can see that the children are properly taken care of. That is why we keep coming back,” he said.

He used the opportunity to call on the government to take more responsibility for supporting orphanages across the country.

“These people are running this place
through personal efforts and contributions. The government needs to step in, provide financial support and other logistics to help them create a more conducive environment for the children,” he said.