A non-governmental organisation, Baytur-Rahmah Orphan Foundation has disbursed a total sum of three million naira to 24 orphans as part of its efforts to improve access to education for orphans in Nigeria.
The presentation of cheque ceremony was held on Tuesday, 3rd September, 2024 at As-Siddiq Schools, Ketu Lagos, with a call on donors to join hands with the Foundation on the journey of care and education for orphans.
Muslim News gathered that the disbursement was meant to cater for the school fees, text books and other sundry educational needs of the students in the first term of the forthcoming 2024/2025 academic session which commences in Lagos on Monday, 9th September, 2024.
While welcoming beneficiaries to the ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Foundation, Hajia Sherifah Yusuf-Ajibade handed the cheque of N1.5m to the beneficiaries, adding that the remaining N1.5m will be paid directly into the accounts of their respective schools.
She said, “As of today, we support in whole or in part, twenty four (24) orphans at their various levels of education in different parts of Nigeria. A cheque N1.5M will be handed over to them here. it is meant to cater for their welfare needs in their respective schools, while N1.5M will be paid directly into the accounts of their schools, to sort their bills.”
The CEO of the Foundation announced that one of the orphans, Miskilu Aminat Olaitan, sponsored by the Foundation thorough higher institution, made a First Class from the University of Ibadan, adding that she is seeking scholarships to further her studies after completing the compulsory one-year NYSC programme.
She also noted that three of the orphans are awaiting admission into universities while others are at different levels in primary and secondary schools.
Hajia Yusuf-Ajibade, who is also a member, Council of Trustees International Muslim Women Union (IMWU) recalled that the Foundation spent almost five million naira (N5M) on the education and welfare of the orphans during the 2023/2024 academic session, adding that the gesture would not have been possible without the generous donations received from their well-meaning supporters.
She said, “We appreciate all our committed donors most of whom we don’t know in person but certainly, Allah knows you and we seek Him to reward you in abundance. Amin.
“We acknowledge and appreciate donations from organizations such as The Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation, Bi Jahi Fatiha Foundation and MESH of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs. May Allah ease all your affairs, here and in the hereafter. Amin.
“We are using this medium to call on public-spirited individuals, who desire to build a better society, who seek to buy into the great rewards of educating orphans and caring for them, to join hands with us on this journey of care and education for orphans, so they will be able to achieve their potentials and contribute positively to the society, and not become outlaws.
“The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals’ central transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is to “Leave No One Behind” (LNOB). A vulnerable group like orphans require all hands on deck to ensure that they get the requisite education to self-actualise, and to reduce inequality and eradicate poverty,” she added.
The keynote speaker at the event, Director/Principal Angus Memorial Senior High School, Somolu, Hajia Monsurat Tijani implored the mothers of the orphans to ensure that they remain morally and religiously upright, saying that academic excellence without moral rectitude is questionable.
She said: To mothers, you’ve seen a foundation taking care of your children’s education and paying attention to them. While the foundation is giving them financial support, their morality is your sole responsibility. Pay attention to their knowledge of Islam and compliance to its teaching. Ensure they grow and develop holistically. All hands must be on deck to ensure the efforts do not go to waste”
She also advised the orphans to maximise the opportunity given them.
“My message to the orphans is to take advantage of this helping hand and make the best out the education availed them. School is never a scam, and education is never obsolete. See this as a golden opportunity and attain the best possible, leveraging education.
“Aim high, dream, aspire and don’t ever limit yourself.”
Hajia Tijani, a Counsellor lauded Baytur-Rahmah Orphan Foundation for the good work which can only be rewarded by Allah.
She said, “I congratulate myself and everyone here for witnessing this event. I also want to urge us all to appreciate Baytur-Rahmah Orphan Foundation for the responsibility it has taken upon itself which only Allah can reward. It’s rewarding to educate orphans. The organisation is actually filling a vacuum that should never be left undone. It is our responsibility as a people, but we often shy away from it.
“We all know that when a man dies, the wife and children left behind are always at the mercy of whoever cares. Unfortunately, virtually no one cares and that’s why I was delighted when this foundation came up. I was glad because it will give hope to the hopeless. How many times have we seen people rise to address the plight of orphans. Even the families of the deceased feign ignorance to the problems of orphans.
“Interestingly, we have this foundation paying attention to orphans, giving hope and putting smiles on their faces. So, I want to say a very big ‘thank you’ to the CEO and every member of the management team,” she added.
Also speaking at the event, the immediate former Amirah of Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, MSSN, Lagos State Area Unit, Hajia Azeezah Gidigbi charged parents to be more proactive and responsible in the affairs of the children and wards.
She said: “As parents, let’s be responsible. As parents, it is wrong for us to leave our responsibilities to teachers in schools attended by our children. I remembered an incident and my child’s teacher asked if they should help me scold him in school. I made her understand that he’s my child and I know how to deal with him at home.
“That’s one thing most parents don’t do today. They only report children’s misdeeds to teachers and school. If you’ve been doing that before, please stop it now.”
She warned parents against justifying their atrocities
“As a counsellor, I’ve experienced a lot, had many encounters with such parents. It’s so disheartening. Public school teachers see and hear a lot daily. Private school parents also do the the same. They are not exonerated.”
She urged parents to employ a holistic approach and pay attention to their children’s friends, mentors, and social media accounts.
Hajia Khadijah Bankole presenting cheque to another beneficiary.
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