By Rahila Ahmed
A Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO), Association for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Nigeria, on Monday supported 50 children with N14,000 each, as gift to mark this year’s Children’s Day celebration.
The National Coordinator of the Association, Mr Marcus Williams, made the donation at an event organised by the association in Abuja to mark 2025 Children Day celebration.
William said the donation was part of efforts by the association with over 460 memberships across the country, to support vulnerable children, to reduce their plights.
“Each child is to go home with at least N14,000 to their parents and we have 50 children to give that to, and that money is going to go to them directly. There is no intermediary.
“We are going to continue to monitor those children that are going to be recipients of today’s support, make sure that they continue to live well as they grow up to meet their aspirations in life.
“It is expected that from this meeting, other private entities that we have invited will carry a burden and a passion to see how they can contribute their quota and work with government to reduce the plight of vulnerable children,” he said.
Williams said that the NGO would continue to provide holistic support to orphans and vulnerable children, saying children need good education, nutrition, healthcare and protection.
“Our emphasis is that a vulnerable child needs support to bounce back to resilience and that is why our members ensure that they get support.
” For today’s event, we are trying to see how we can celebrate children and in doing that, we also try to see how we can ensure sustainability of our engagements with children in Nigeria.
”This made us to scout for private sector entities that are willing to support programmes for vulnerable children in the country and they are doing well,” he said.
Williams urged local communities to support the less privileged children saying they need support.
“A lot of children do not have enough food to eat, and this is a call to reach out to the less privileged wherever you can find them.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zenytal Properties Limited, Mr Abiodun David, one of the sponsors of the support, said the gesture would not be a one-off thing, but a long-term alliance driven by compassion, strategy, and sustainable support.
David said that the company’s initial commitment would span over five years, with the full intention to renew and deepen our impact as the need arises.
“This partnership is not just a corporate social responsibility initiative, it is a mission.
“It is a mission to restore dreams, provide access to education, and rekindle hope in the hearts of at least 200 high school children, and more broadly, 10,000 out-of-school children across Nigeria.
“We recognise that these children are not just statistics, they are potential leaders, creators and change makers of tomorrow.
“All they need is the opportunity and we are committed to being part of the bridge to that brighter future,” David said.
The CEO said that Zenytal believed that true development was not just measured in buildings and land, it’s measured in lives touched, futures secured, and communities transformed.
“To the children we serve through this initiative: we see you, we believe in you, and we are walking this journey with you.
“We thank the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for their guidance and policy support, and AONN for their grassroots expertise and unwavering commitment,” David said.
He said that let today be remembered but as the beginning of a generational impact.
Mr John Duru, the Assistant Director in the Ministry of Women Affairs and the Focal Person for the Orphan and Vulnerable Children, said that all the children need care and love.
He described children’s day as a special day for children to participate and enjoy their day, commended the sponsors and urged for more collaboration.
One of the beneficial from Facado Children Home, Jesusboy Wealth, urged Nigerians to strive to give orphans a more secured life.
”Like a place for us to be happy and know we are cared for and matter to the society.” he said.
