Give To Less Privileged, Orphans Tell Nigerians

Some Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC) on Saturday called on Nigerians to cultivate the habit of giving to the less-privileged in the society.

They made the call in Abuja during an end of year party organised by a group of friends, who came together to provide a platform for caring for children orphaned or affected by HIV and AIDS.

Master Ikenne Peters, told newsmen that the group was God-sent, because they made it possible for him to continue his education after the death of his father.

Peters said that life would be easier for orphans if more Nigerians could do what the group was doing for OVC in their communities.

He called on other informal groups in the states, towns and communities, to emulate the group and touch some lives.

Another boy, Master Audu Idache, said he was able to wear nice cloths and eat good food courtesy of the group, adding that he looked forward to the party every end of year.

Idache said his education would have stopped if not for the group, who helped to pay his school fees and also took care of his medical bills.

In her speech, Mrs Augusta Akparanta-Emenogu, on behalf of the volunteers, said the idea was muted nine years ago, when the group of friends noticed that some children who accompanied their parents and care-givers to support group meetings, were not well catered for.

Akparanta-Emenogu added that as time went on, the idea became a reality, adding that they became more involved by hosting the children to annual children’s funfair.

She told newsmen that the group provided school fees, medicare and food supplement for the children, widows and some HIV positive women.

Akparanta-Emenogu said in 2012, the group would celebrate its 10th year anniversary, adding that to commemorate the occasion, they would offer scholarship of N10,000 to as many of the children as possible.

“We wish to appeal to our dear friends to start putting away N1,000 every month from January 2012, so that by September, you can simply add N1,000 to make it up to N10,000 for us to give each of our awardees to start the new session.”