By Jimitota Onoyume 

Alders League & Friends,  has donated valuables running into millions of naira to the St Anne’s Orphanage Redeemer Parish, of the Catholic Diocese of Warri, Delta state. 

Chairman of the group of prominent Nigerians who grew up in the old Warri, Chief Eugene Ikomi said identifying with orphanages has been part of the annual programme of the body, adding that they use the occasion of the yuletide to reach out.

He commended the management of the orphanage for their commitment and love for the underprivileged in their care.

Veronica Odulami – Our Lady of Apostles Sister,  OLA, who’s in charge of the orphanage expressed profound gratitude to the group. ” I am overwhelmed, grateful for this day.” She said

She said at the time of the donation the orphanage had fifteen children in its care and one of them was a 23-day-old baby boy, adding that they also have some bedridden teenagers and adults. 

Items donated include a deep freezer, bags of garri, rice, beans, cartons of Titus frozen fish, chicken, cartons of milk, Milo, noddles, soaps, knorr maggi,  detergent, vegetable oil, palm oil, two dryers for clothes, packs of diapers, pampers, two inverter batteries, petrol, kerosine, and dettol.

A member of the group, Chief Blessing Oboh also donated a cheque covering the cash prize he won at a golf tournament.

The group earlier had a Thanksgiving Mass at St John the Baptist Catholic Chaplaincy, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, FUPRE, Effurun, Uvwie local government area. 

The priest Very Rev Father Dr Abaka Oghenejode who is also a member of the body, in his homily, charged members to build their family foundation for the good of Warri, the nation, and humanity. Reading from Psalm 128 V:1-6, he prayed for the group, urging them to be active in the drive to rebuild the city of Warri.

The Chairman, Chief Ikomi who spoke after the group danced to present their thanksgiving offering said it was the first time the body added thanksgiving to their strings of end-of-the-year activities, assuring that they would sustain it.

He said Alders League &Friends is a group of friends who grew up in Warri and its environs and are passionate about restoring the lost glory of the oil-rich city.

He said they would secure an audience with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to offer their advice on things to add to his development programme for the city.

“This league, there is no tribe, or religion. We are friends who grew up in Warri and are committed to the development of the city and environs”.