Eight-year-old fetes orphans, pleads for Chibok girls’ release

by Temitayo Famutimi

Abducted Chibok girls

A pupil of Kingslight Group of Schools, Lagos, Boluwatife Ijabodede, on Saturday celebrated her birthday with orphans at the Compassionate Orphanage in the state.

Eight-year-old Ijabodede, who came in company with members of her immediate family members to the orphanage, said more needed to be done by well-meaning Nigerians to support the plight of orphans and the downtrodden in the society.

She stated that she was pleased to spend her wonderful moments with the orphans and put smiles on their faces but expressed sadness over the continued incarceration of the Chibok girls.

Ijabodede said, “Spending the first of my next 365 days on earth with my dear brothers and sisters here in this orphanage makes me feel very happy. I admire you all so much and that is why I have come to celebrate my special day with you.

“They say children are the leaders of tomorrow but the question I ask is that would tomorrow ever come. Why must our friends in Chibok be kidnapped?

“I know we all are not happy about what is happening to them. Let us pray that our friends are found very soon so that they can be free again and go to school like us.”

Assisted by her mum, Iyabo, the young musician who has eight singles to her credit also donated food items, and other daily need materials to the orphanage.

Manager, Compassionate Orphanage, Patricia Muzan, was full of praises for the pupil and her family for identifying with the children at the orphanage.

According to her, the support of members of the general public to support the social, material, educational and psychological needs of the children in the orphanage was quite paramount.

She stated that the orphanage would be looking forward to more support from members of the society in the area of medical services, payment of school fees and the feeding of the children in the orphanage.

She said, “I appreciate the little girl and her family for taking the initiative to fete the children as we only witness this kind of celebration during the festive season.

“The memories of the birthday celebration will linger on for many weeks to come. But, on a general note, gestures like this are welcomed from the general public as orphanages as you know face a lot of challenges ranging from feeding, payment medical bills and quite importantly, their school fees.”