Posted by By MOSHOOD ADEBAYO and ADEOLA YUSUF, Abeokuta on
With tears rolling down his cheeks, Benjamin Mogaji, an eleven year old primary four pupil of Stephen Centre International School (SCI), Abeokuta, Ogun State, narrated how eight members of his family were massacred during one of the religious riots in Kaduna.
With tears rolling down his cheeks, Benjamin Mogaji, an eleven year old primary four pupil of Stephen Centre International School (SCI), Abeokuta, Ogun State, narrated how eight members of his family were massacred during one of the religious riots in Kaduna.
'When they came, they couldn't enter our house, so my father said he would prefer to die for the whole family, so that my mother can take care of us."
'My father was shot in the stomach. They rushed in and killed my little sister and I fell into the burning fire, but I was saved by my brother who was later killed. We lost 8 members of our family to the riot".
Benjamin is just one of the 71 unfortunate kids drawn from Kaduna, Kano and Plateau states who are now under the care of the 'Voice of Christian Martyrs" (VCM) in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
Although they believed that the death of their parents had brought irreparable loss to their lives, the children were unanimous in their prayer to God to forgive those Nigerians through whom their parents met their untimely deaths.
The 'special children" were also full of appreciation to the 2004 'Batch B" Corps members serving in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State for the special interest which they have taken in their welfare since about one year ago.
Speaking during the inauguration of a N400, 000 borehole project which was initiated by the corps members, the Director of VCM, Rev. Isaac Oluwole Newton-Wusu commended the NYSC members for their humanitarian works.
'The good gesture and contribution of the members of NYSC in Odeda Local Government and Ogun State have been of great encouragement to us. Water is life and Jesus said anyone who gave anyone will never be thirsty", he stressed.
He added that (SCI) was declared open on 23rd November 2000 by 'our very good friend, Gen. Zamani Lekwot (retd). We have the honour of hosting 71 children from the Northern states whose parents were killed in various religious riots in the country".
Ogun State Commissioner of Youths and Sports, Bukola Olopade who led the inauguration team promised that the state government would co-operate with the centre to bring smiles to the faces of the 'special children".
His words: 'I am overwhelmed; I am impressed by all I have seen today. I want to tell the Director that I would not stop until I bring the Governor to this place. This school, I promise would play a big role in the hosting of Gateway Game in 2006".
'On the part of the NYSC members serving in Odeda zone, they are wonderful set of young men and ladies. Their achievements in the last one year is commendable," he enthused.
In his speech at the occasion, the Ogun State Director of NYSC, Chief Sylvester Onuoha urged well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture of the corps members to bring succour to the helpless children.
'Let me use this oprtunity to call on government, religious bodies, NGOs and well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture of these gentlemen, corps members and identify with this centre and other areas that are in need".
The prime motivator of the project, Corper Israel Agbogwe (a.k.a. One Love) while eulogizing all his colleagues for the success of the project, disclosed that each of them contributed money to make the borehole project a reality.
He also commended the Director of VCM, Rev. Newton-Nwosu for supporting the noble course of 'rubbing balm on the wound of these special children."