HARDSHIP: 17.5 Million Orphans May Fight Nigeria, NGO Warns

A non-governmental organisation, Patriotic Nigerians Forum, PNF, has expressed concerns over the plights of less-privileged children experiencing the current hardship, stressing that 17.5 million orphans may grow up to hate and fight the country if the situation persists.

Convener of PNF, Mr Eric Oluwole, said the organisation was worried about how children without parents would cope at these difficult moments, noting that it has observed that orphans, especially children below the age of 18, find it difficult to benefit from the various palliative programmes.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Oluwole urged well-meaning Nigerians to assist the children in financing their needs, saying they can take a cue from an American-based Professor of Medicine, Professor Emeka Umerah who, through his Orphanage Foundation, has built and donated an orphanage in Imo State.

He said in the orphanage, Umerah provides education, essentials of life, clothing and housing for thousands of orphans in Nigeria.

His words: “The harsh economy hits children like a hot knife. Worst are orphans. In Nigeria, there is an estimated population of 17.5 million orphans. Worst hit is the North-East where insurgency is well pronounced. We are ready to push our philanthropic organisations, the rich, to do more so as to save Nigerian vulnerable children.

“We identify, support and encourage Nigerians at home and in the diaspora who, by their deeds of philanthropy, are making remarkable contributions to improving the living standards of our people anywhere across the country.

“In our tour of Nigeria, we cannot but mention the sterling example of an American-based Professor of Medicine, who through his Orphanage Foundation has built and donated an orphanage in Imo State, Owerri. This is apart from other projects he has donated in other parts of the South-East, Nigeria.

“We wish other philanthropic groups, individuals and organisations will emulate this striking example. We have visited the orphanage and we are compelled to speak to the world about this remarkable feat with the hope that others will follow these indelible footprints. We saw education, essentials of life, clothing and housing provided by an individual for thousands of orphans in Nigeria.

“The only way we can honour this achievement is to speak out in order to encourage other Nigerians. We were glad we visited Imo State to tell the hidden story of honour to little children. We at PNF applaud this American-based Nigerian Professor of Medicine and philanthropist, Professor Emeka Umerah for his support to Nigerians.

“We believe any one that wants to serve the country in any capacity should make a difference towards the development of Nigeria. Prof Emeka Umerah is an excellent example. In Imo State, we saw hundreds of orphans that have been given hope and uplifted from despair. This is one of the greatest signposts of nation building in a collective sense, not leaving development all alone to the government.”