For decades, humanity has continued to grapple with a large amount of social problems, ranging from poor health condition, hunger, deprivation of basic amenities of life, and even in the case where these are available; they are grossly inadequate. Meanwhile, international organizations and other human right institutions keep churning out frightening figures of people experiencing one form of pain or the other, with the slimmest chance of breaking even.
While some of the aforesaid can be attributed to natural occurrences beyond the power and control of man, others happened, owing to man’s inhumanity towards his fellow man across the world. Daily, the media is awash with stories, mostly in the sub-Saharan Africa, even as Nigeria is ranked among countries with poor human development index, as well as unfavourable living condition.
These unfortunate situations have disadvantaged countless number of people as a host of others struggle without result for survival in the phase of an uncertain, bleak and despairing future. This underscores why the well to do in the society that nature smiled and is still smiling on should, by the benevolence of God, ensure they replicate same to vulnerable groups in the society.
No doubt, governments across all levels have been carrying out her responsibilities to their citizens but, it is quite unfortunate that these efforts have fallen short of addressing the many social ills plaguing the human race. It is instructive to establish that government alone cannot meet these needs. This is why privileged individuals, corporate and non-government organizations, and more importantly, religious bodies, must form and sustain a formidable team, with the view to checkmating this age-long problem.
Here is a clarion call to fortunate families and personalities that can set up foundations in honour of the needy and victims of circumstances. If this is done with the view to alleviating the plight of the downtrodden, meaningful changes would be visible. This is also why foundations such as the Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation, and other humanitarian agencies, committed to fighting malaria and other diseases in Africa, should be encouraged to do more. The impact of the Kanu Heart Foundation, where thousands of people, most especially, children suffering from heart problems are taken abroad for treatment can also not be overemphasized; this also can be imbibed by others.
Recently, worried by increasing neglect of orphans and the destitute, especially babies and little children, the Late Most Supreme AP. Matthew Omodayo Owotuga Foundation donated an orphanage to Nigeria’s first hospital – Sacred Heart Hospital, Abeokuta, owned and operated by the Catholic Church. This facility will house and offer cares for such stratum of people in society. The foundation was established in 2009 to cater for orphans and the indigent children, whose parents could not pay tuition fees and take adequate care of them.
One thing that is however sacrosanct is that, life goes on and this is why the humanitarian and benevolent traits in individuals must be stirred in order to arrest and cushion the effect on people and at least, guarantee them a meaningful lifestyle that will engender a virile society and relieve the less privileged and other vulnerable groups, of a turbulent life.
Yinka Musa-Richard,
Ogun State.
and then