- Group applauds Davido’s historic benevolence to orphanages
Barely 10 months after constructing a church building for an Agatu community ravaged by herdsmen in the 2016 massacre, a humanitarian team from the United States of America, has again commissioned two humanitarian projects in Yobe and Benue states as part of activities in honour of Hostage Christian Schoolgirl Leah Sharibu.
On Valentine’s Day, a five-bedroom fenced and renovated compound with Boys Quarters was donated to the Tivid Orphanage in Makurdi which had been given a quit notice last year for owing millions of naira in rent arrears.
The United States-based CEOs of US Nigeria Law Group and Widows & Orphans LLC were joined by Representatives of the Benue State First Lady and the Commissioner for women affairs. Other dignitaries present included Hon. Ngunan Addingi immediate past commissioner for Information, Hon. Justice James O. Ogebe, JSC, (rtd.), Dr. Mrs. Mary Ogebe, first female doctor from northern Nigeria, and Mrs. Hannah Onekutu, wife of the late pioneer Secretary to the Benue State Govt Mr. Simon Onekutu.
In a goodwill message, one of the US humanitarian team leaders, Rev Dr. William Devlin, disclosed that during his visit to the Tivid orphanage in September 2021, God touched him to acquire a new property to enable the 54 orphans have shelter and not be thrown on the street. He also purchased new solar electric batteries for the orphanage.
Co-lead of the humanitarian team and international human rights lawyer, Emmanuel Ogebe said he first saw an appeal for assistance on Facebook by Hon. Ngunan Addingi’s daughter. While attending a Tigris Jazz concert at Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Emmanuel Ogebe said he saw Mrs. Addingi feature in a 700 Club video visiting an IDP camp.
The following day while waiting for a meeting in Makurdi the Benue state capital he decided to drop in on Hon Addingi who was his former Head Girl in Bristow Secondary School.
The Commissioner recommended they visit the orphanage and the rest is now history.
Barr. Ogebe urged the audience to include orphans, pastors, and supporters of the ministry to note how God moved people from different parts of the world in response to a teenage girl’s faith to make the new orphanage a reality. Young Miss Addingi who attends an international school in Abuja had insisted on doing her community service in her home state of Benue. It was while she was there that she learnt about the eviction notice and began her appeal. She also travelled from Abuja to be in attendance at the dedication ceremony.
Favor Ada, head of Tivid Orphanage said that at the time of the US team’s visit in September 2021, they had raised only N200,000 which was just 10% of the N2million rent owed. She expressed gratitude to God and the donors for the miracle blessing of an unexpected new property.
Commenting further, Ogebe said the guests should be aware that there’s no limit to where God can take them adding that he attended Demonstration Primary School in Makurdi but God had divinely repositioned him in strategic global fora.
Dr. Mary Ogebe head of the Future Hope Scholarship Foundation promised to assist an orphan from TIVID with a scholarship.
In addition, Emmanuel Ogebe said: “This is the third construction project in Benue through my US network since last year as a block of classrooms was also built at an IDP Camp. I was very thankful to learn that famous Nigerian American artist Davido supported Tivid Orphanage in Benue state and also another recently destroyed orphanage in Plateau state with monetary donations.
“In my estimation, I do not recall that any single individual in Nigerian history has systematically made a donation to orphanages in all the 36 states of Nigeria simultaneously. This leads me to believe that Davido has set a national record for philanthropy by his benevolence like what US Billionaire Warren Buffet did by mobilizing his billionaire friends to give to charity.
“Orphanages play a critical societal function serving as a social safety net for the most vulnerable and every state government should be appreciative and supportive of orphanages in their domain.
“I praise the Police in Benue for arresting a woman for trying to sell her baby for N200,000. They brought the infant to Tivid Orphanage to be cared for. This shows the importance of orphanages and police-community relations.”
Some of the orphans from the Agatu massacre are residents of the orphanage. Besides, a pastor from Chibok whose sister is among the kidnapped but still missing 112 schoolgirls was present and expressed his appreciation for the donation of an orphanage.
