By Evelyn Usman

The family of businessman and philanthropist, Mr. Tony Elumelu, has donated no fewer than 1,730 bags of rice and 290 bags of beans to orphanage homes across Lagos, Edo, and Delta states as part of its end-of-year humanitarian outreach.

The donation exercise, which covered six orphanage homes in Lagos State and three each in Edo and Delta states, was flagged off over the weekend in Lagos by the Chairperson of Avon Healthcare Limited, Dr. Awele Elumelu, at the Hearts of Gold Children Hospice, Masha, Surulere, Lagos.

Beneficiary orphanages in Lagos included Hearts of Gold Children Hospice; Little Saints Orphanage, Surulere; SOS Children’s Village, Isolo; Living Fountain Orphanage; Adiel Children’s Home, Ilupeju; and Compassionate Orphanage, Egbeda.

In Delta State, the outreach covered institutions in Onichukwu, including the FMC School of Nursing and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp, as well as other communities. Selected orphanage homes in Edo State also benefited from the initiative.

Speaking during the presentation, Dr. Elumelu expressed gratitude to God for the year and commended caregivers for their resilience despite prevailing economic challenges.

“We thank God for this season of joy and peace. We know it has not been easy. Things have been tough in 2025, but through your efforts and the support of others, you have been able to cope,” she said.

She described the donation as the family’s modest contribution to supporting orphaned and vulnerable children as the country prepares to enter a new year, and called for increased collective support for care homes.

“As we go into a new year, we pray for more strength for you to continue the good work you are doing. We do our little bit, but we need more people to help,” she added.

Dr. Elumelu explained that the initiative was deliberately extended beyond Lagos to Delta State, where she and her husband hail from, as well as Edo State, stressing that the needs of vulnerable children cut across the country.

“We can never do too much or do enough, but at least let us do what we can. The more you do, God will help you to do more,” she said.

In her remarks, the Founder of Hearts of Gold Children’s Hospice, Mrs. Laja Adedoyin, expressed appreciation to the Elumelu family for their sustained support, noting that donations received earlier in the year had helped the hospice remain operational amid rising costs.

“God is taking care of these children, but He does so through the support we receive. What you have sown has helped us to get to where we are today,” she said.

Adedoyin added that the hospice operates as a specialised medical home for children with complex health needs, noting that most donations are channelled into medical care and daily support for the children under its care.

Representatives of the other beneficiary homes also expressed appreciation to the Elumelu family for the gesture, describing it as timely and one that would go a long way in supporting their respective homes.