The National Association of Seadogs, also known as Pyrates Confraternity, yesterday decried the lack of support for Centre for Destitute Empowerment International in the Idimu axis of Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The centre, which accommodates no fewer than 100 destitute including physically challenged children, mentally retarded, and abandoned, requires the support of the government, corporate bodies, and well-meaning individuals to continue to effectively carry out its humanitarian gesture.
Speaking during the donation of items to the centre as part of activities to mark this year’s International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the Cap’n of the Hawkins Deck of NAS, Mr Jude Alaneme, noted that the need for intervention was necessary as such centres assist the society in taking care of abandoned children that would have been in the streets.
Items donated by the chapter include foodstuff such as one bag each of rice and beans, provisions, toiletries, wheelchairs, and cash gifts, among others.
The Hawkins Deck chapter of NAS comprises members residing in the Alimosho/Agege axis of Lagos State.
According to Alaneme, the association identified the destitute centre as a crucial hub for the rehabilitation and training of abandoned indigent children hence the need to need to support their course.
British PM visits Israel, pledges support amid conflict
He said, “We have identified with this centre today because of what they stand for. They have chosen to bear the burden of accommodating and bringing up these indigent and physically challenged children. Such centres require the support of the government.
We are calling on government and corporate organisations, donor agencies, and individuals to come to their rescue.”
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Centre for Destitute Empowerment International, in Idimu, Lagos, Mrs Alice Okoliko, said the centre, which was founded in 2000 by herself and her late husband, Pastor Samson Okoliko, caters to children with different needs.
She noted that some of the children were brought to the centre by their parents and abandoned in the long run, adding that the burden of bringing them up now rests with them.
“Although when they come to drop these children here, they (parents) promise to support their welfare, it does not turn out that way as they end up abandoning them with us. We have trained some of them up to university levels, all we need is just support to continue to cater for the others” she said.
Okoliko is soliciting the support of the government to continue to empower indigent children for the overall growth of society.
“We also require funding to secure a land where we can erect buildings to accommodation these children,” she added.
