‘Poverty, Cause of Nigerians’ Poor Disposition to Charity’

A non-governmental organisation, Olakunle Ojo Foundation, has disclosed that pervasive ignorance and poverty in Nigeria have reduced the citizens’ propensity to partake in charity. Founder of the NGO, Mr. Olakunle Ojo, son of the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Afolabi Ojo, said this while donating materials to Relief and Rehabilitation Home in Ado Ekiti recently, in commemoration of his 46th birthday anniversary.

Ojo averred that many of those with penchant for giving didn’t have available information on how best to help the less privileged, while those with information at their disposals have no financial means to put their desires into manifestation.

Items donated include bags of rice and beans, deep freezer, toiletries, among others, which were received by a Director in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Dcn Samuel Fabusoro.

Present at the event were Prof. Ojo; NDLEA Commander in Ekiti, Mr. Suleiman Jadi; Odogun of Ado Ekiti, Chief Oba Aladetoyinbo; Akogun Akin Ojo, PDP Chairmen, Wards 1 and 2 in Ado Ekiti, Mr. Gabriel Adetukasi and Mr. Azeez Adedoyin, respectively, among others.

He enjoined rich Nigerians to imbibe the culture of giving, particularly to orphans, those suffering mental illnesses and other physically-challenged individuals; rather than lavishing their wealth on parties and other frivolous ventures.

Ojo said he inherited the act of giving from his late mother, Mrs. Florence Ojo, whom he said had been taking him to orphanages to celebrate her birthday since the age of seven years. He said he was not driven my any political aspiration to celebrate with the less privileged.

The celebrant’s father, Prof. Ojo, urged the foundation to reach out to other existing orphanages in the state to ensure balancing. Fabusoro, who lauded the celebrant for the gesture, said the centre was established in 1976 with intention to rehabilitate the inmates and make them acquire skills that would make them easily reintegrate into society after reformation.

In his contribution, the NDLEA boss, charged wellmeaning Nigerians to donate generously for the provision of facilities in less privileged homes, adding that the act of rehabilitation is a daunting task that requires serious support because of his experiences in reformation exercise of his agency.