The Oyo State Government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde priorities the welfare of the orphans and vulnerable children through policies and programs that promote social inclusion, child welfare and sustainable support systems for most vulnerable members of the society.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion Hon. (Mrs) Toyin Balogun stated that the partnership between the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion and MaryJoe Humanitarian Foundation is a testament to what can be achieved when Government and private organizations work together for a common cause while recognizing the immense contributions of faith based and community organizations, philanthropist and social advocates in improving the lives of the vulnerable children.
Hon. (Mrs) Toyin Balogun stated this while expressing her heartfelt gratitude to MaryJoe Humanitarian Foundation at the distribution of palliatives to 20 orphanages/children homes in the State by the foundation held at Social Development Staff Training Centre, Samonda, Ibadan.
The Commissioner said, as children are the future of our Nation, it is the duty of the Government to provide them with the care, protection and opportunities they need to thrive while orphanages and children’s homes play a crucial role in this regard, however it takes a collective effort of Government, private sector, Humanitarian organizations, and well- meaning individuals to ensure these children receive the love, education and support they deserve.
She therefore called on stakeholders, corporate organizations, NGOs, religious institutions and individuals to emulate the good gesture of MaryJoe Humanitarian Foundation and invest in the future of these children to provide mentorship, skills development and long-term support that will enable them to become self reliant, confident and productive members of the society.
In an address read on behalf of the CEO of MaryJoe Humanitarian Foundation, Mrs Alice Joseph, the mission of the foundation is working to empowering neglected children, distressed women and improvised families in Nigeria through education support and community development initiatives.
She stated further that the aims and objectives also align with the mission which is to support neglected children, empowerment for abused women, widows welfare and orphans educational sponsorship while reaffirming the shared commitment of the foundation and others stakeholders to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those groups of people we serve.
Mrs Alice Joseph therefore call on all well meaning individuals and stakeholders to come together to build a future filled with hope, dignity and opportunity for all.
In their separate Goodwill messages, the Commissioner for Trade, industry, investment and cooperatives Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi and Honorable representing Saki West constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Shittu Ibrahim, the program has come at the right time going by the present economic condition in the country.
While appreciating MaryJoe Foundation for their kind gesture in the provision of food palliatives to orphanages, they admonished all to think of how they can also support these important set of people among us because they deserve the best in life too.
The orphanages that benefited from the palliative includes, Juvenile Correctional Institute, OYIZA FOUNDATION, GALILEE FOUNDATION, JESUS CHILDREN, MERCY OF GOD HOME, ABC, AGBEDARE HOME, FOMWAN, LIWOM, SOLA OLAGUNJU HOME, YESHUA ORPHANAGE, GOD’S TREASURE, JESUS THE MERCIFUL GLOBAL FOUNDATION, BOSCO, HOPE ALIVE HOME, OLUWAKEMI ORPHANAGE, WINNIES CASTEL, JOYOUS HEART, DORCAS HOME and IRANLOWOOLUWA ORPHANAGE.
These orphanages were given bags of rice, Semolina, packs of indomine noddles, spaghetti and macaroni to mention a few.
Omotoso Olukemi
Press Officer
Min of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion