As part of activities drawn to mark his 74th birthday celebration, Senator Tunde Ogbeha has donated several food items, assorted toiletries and cash gifts to orphans and motherless babies of the Ministry of Mercy orphanage home, Lokoja, Kogi State.

Sen. Ogbeha who was represented by his wife, Mrs Esther Ogbeha, stated that he’s always connecting with the less privileged and vulnerable, hence the choice of the orphanage children to mark his birthday.

She noted that she and her husband have over the years, committed their time and resources to supporting care homes and the vulnerable.

“Again, we are here this year. We are no visitors here. If I have my way, I will come here always.

“My husband’s birthday comes up on September 1 but we have decided to start the celebrations with these wonderful children. Thank you for your regular prayers.”

She paid glowing tributes to the management and staff of the orphanage for their collaborative efforts, commitment and dedication to duty, and prayed God to bless them abundantly.

“It is obvious the children here are doing well, thank you for taking good care of them.

“I must commend the management of this orphanage and all care givers that have made sacrifices to ensure these children are well taken care of. You are doing a good job, God bless you.”

Mrs. Ogbeha offered to adopt two of the inmates at the orphanage as foster children.

She therefore urged Corporate individuals, groups and multinationals to assist orphans and vulnerable children with the necessary support towards ensuring adequate food, health care, clothing, and education in order to be useful citizens of the society.

Proprietor of the orphanage, Dr. Daniel Aduojo Edeh expressed gratitude to the former governor and his wife for their commitments to the welfare and well-being of the children, and for always reaching out to the facility.

According to him, children in the orphanage are always looking forward to seeing the Ogbehas visit them, in anticipation of the goodies from the family.

The proprietor observed that the donation will make the birthday celebration a memorable one for the children.

“Every time you come here to put smiles on our faces, you are making God happy because he calls these children his brothers and sisters.

The Lord will continue to honour you because you have come to the orphanage to honour these vulnerable children.”

He explained that the orphanage home has about 400 inmates, with the Otutulu home housing 300 children, while the Lokoja home has 100 occupants.

“Here in Lokoja, we have less than 100 children but in Otutulu, we have about three hundred children. They are mostly motherless. Most of their mothers died during childbirth. Others were abandoned babies.

Dr. Aduojo further disclosed that the need to reduce maternal mortality among women informed the establishment of a new medical facility at the orphanage, to cater for their health needs.

“Worried by the maternal mortality rate, my wife and I came up with a vision to establish a medical centre where pregnant women can access medical care for free.

“In the last four years, all caesarian operation in our medical centre has been free of charge to ensure our mothers deliver safely. We want our mothers to live, take care of their children themselves and reap the fruits of their labour,” he said.

The proprietor prayed God to grant the Ogbehas long lives for honouring the children on the birthday of the former governor.

“You will live long; heaven will stand by you for standing by these orphans and the vulnerable children in Jesus name.”

Highpoint of the visit was the cutting of the birthday cake, and presentation of items and gifts to the home and children, respectively.

Items donated on the visit include,
Cartons of Vegetable Oil, Bags of Semovita, Packs of Pop corn, Cheese balls, Cartons of Beverages, Bags of Rice, Confectionaries, Molfix pants, Detergents and Bar Soaps, Honeywell Instant Noodles, Energy food drinks, Tubers of yam, Gallons of Palm oil, Cassava flakes popularly called Gari, and cash.

Sen. Tunde Ogbeha was born on 1st September, 1947. He was pioneer military administrator of Akwa Ibom State, between 28 September 1987 and 30 July 1988.

In Dec 1987, he was deployed to the old Bendel state as military administrator until Aug 1990.

Ogbeha was elected senator for the Kogi West district of Kogi State from May 1999 to May 2007.