TELL Magazine

Nigerians have been called upon to support the needy and less privileged in the society to alleviate poverty and give succour to the less privileged.

This was the submission of a business woman and philanthropist, Mrs Kemi Elebute Halle, while donating food items, drinks and clothing materials to children at Erelu Angela Adebayo Children’s Home, Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

She observed that all orphans in foster homes have mothers and fathers somewhere, insisting that both men and women producing these children failed to take responsibility for them.
“I want to plead with men to please take responsibility. When you are not ready to father a child and take responsibility for his or her upkeep and training, please zip up and leave that lady alone. I will also enjoin ladies, too, to look before they leap. If you discover that he cannot take care of you and your child, please stop following such men.” She advised.

According to Halle, government has a responsibility to the citizenry, but it is our duty as parents to train our children very well so that they can grow up to become responsible adults in our society.
“I want to plead with parents to take their parental obligations seriously so that they can help society by producing responsible adults. Although government has its duties to the people, but we must be up and doing as parents to train our children in the right way they should go. Even when they make mistakes, we should not abandon them because that is when they need our support most. The family must support girls who became mothers along the line to become single mothers.” She stated.

She decried a situation where such girls who are badly in need of parental and family support are abandoned to their fate and even ostracized.
“I think we need to change our attitude to those who became single mothers not of their own volition because they are victims of circumstance and we should stop stigmatizing them. I was a single mum at a point myself. I thank God that the support I got from my family eased the pain of that experience. Today, I am happily married, but the story would have been different if my family abandoned me at that crucial phase of my life.” She noted.

The philanthropist charged ladies who find themselves in such a situation to seek understanding and support of their families rather than see abortion as the easy way out because it is dangerous for them.
“The decision to abort is an individual thing. In Western countries, it is permitted to a level, but here our culture frowns at it seriously. If you get pregnant, seek support from your family and avoid the temptation of going it alone by resorting to abortion because you may lose your life in the process. Unfortunately, it is through such dangerous route that dreams and destinies are terminated.” She said.

On the chieftaincy titles of Erelu Atayese and Otunba Atayese of Iyin-Ekiti kingdom to be bestowed on her and the husband respectively on Saturday 18, September, the philanthropist described it as a great honour done her family by the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti.
” I consider it a great honour and rare privilege done to my family by Oba Adeola Adeniyi Ajakaye, the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti. It is something God placed in the heart of Kabiyesi to recognize our modest contributions to society. It is a charge for us to do more.” She declared.

Mrs Halle, who donated items like noodles, malt, children sneakers, plates and spoons, eggs, table water, clothings to the home, also gave them one hundred thousand naira and promised to remit the same amount to support the upkeep of the children monthly.

In her remarks, the Matron of the Home, Mrs Olayinka Ajayi thanked the donor for her large heart and support for the less privileged, while commending the donor for her resolve to further support the children on a monthly basis.

She implored all other public spirited persons and groups to come forward with the little they have to help make life more meaningful for the children and turned them into responsible adults in the future.