There was an air of festivity and jubilation at the Great Faith Orphanage Home, Ikorodu, Lagos, as a federal lawmaker representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, celebrated the Christmas with orphans and vulnerable children.Dabiri-Erewa, who ate and danced with the children, reminded them that they could attain any height in life."I want to assure you that sky is your limit. With this orphanage you find yourselves, you will attain the fullness of your potential and I can assure you that I will continue to support you," she said.Dabiri-Erewa also promised to contribute and seek the support of well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies towards the construction of the orphanages N30m permanent site in Ikorodu.The Founder/President, of the home, Rev. Lydia Aroyewum, said the orphanage was founded as a result of deep pity for the downtrodden and the less privileged in the society.Aroyewum said, "The present rate of divorce, broken homes, abandoned babies, widows plight, orphans and drop-outs in our society is alarming."A lot of teenage girls have been abducted and abandoned; some are rejected and many are on the verge of developing psychological problems. The love of God needs to be extended to all these classes of people and this is what the organisation is committed to."In a related development, a firm, Eghiemai Industries Limited, also remembered some widows in Ojodu area of Lagos as they donated some household goods to them.The firm, noted for baking and confectionery ingredients and additives, gave to the widows new clothes, rice, cash and some of its products including Millers baking powder, ground rice, icing sugar and brown sugar.Managing Director of the company, Mrs. Helen Ogwuma, said the celebration was an avenue to encourage the widows that widowhood was not the end of the world.Ogwuma, a widow, who lost her husband 17 years ago, urged them not to be downcast but to remain steadfast in the service of God.She said, "We are holding Christmas party for the widows drawn from many areas in Ojodu, Ogun State. I am also a widow and I want to use my situation to let them know that widowhood is not the end of life."This celebration coincides with the 17th anniversary of my husbands death. He was the former Chairman of this company. At the end of year like this, we usually give thanks to God and remember the less privileged. This time around, we are celebrating with the widows to encourage them to remain steadfast in the service of God and to tell them that all hope is not lost."Widows should not be downcast; they should not think that because their husbands are dead that there is nothing else to do. We should not lose hope. Widows have to stand so that their children can lean on them, holding on to God very well."Ogwuma urged the widows to abstain from dirty thoughts and to live a righteous life.The widow, who said the experiences of widowhood could be harrowing, urged the government to give direct grants to the widows to enable them to eke out their own living.
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