A group, National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), Ebonyi State chapter has expressed concern over the conditions and alleged abandonment of inmates of the St. Vincent De Paul Old People’s and Destitute Home Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
The group spoke during its quarterly visit, commissioning of projects executed at the home, sensitisation and distribution of food items to the inmates of the home.
Speaking with LEADERSHIP after the programme, the association’s president, Prince Chidi Aloh, decried the lack of attention for the destitute by the state government, political office holders and philanthropists in the state.
He said most of the inmates have children who were at the verge of dropping out of school because of the inability of their vulnerable parents to cater for their educational needs, warning that the children might begin to engage in social vices which could be detrimental to the society.
Aloh urged the state government and other prominent individuals to offer scholarships to the children to alleviate their suffering and the inmates.
He suggested that others could be engaged in skill acquisition to make them self-reliant.
Prince Aloh said the group was moved to construct mosquito nets and doors to reduce the high risk of malaria and typhoid fever which had become a recurring sickness amongst the inmates, adding that the inmates were going facing untold hardships having been neglected by the government, individuals and groups.
“As you can see, the inmates have grown up children who are in school while some have finished secondary school and can’t further their education. We have observed that some are intelligent and indicated interest in furthering their education, but we cannot carry the burden alone.
“So, I am appealing to the state government, political office holders and philanthropists to come to the aide of the inmates. If these children are abandoned, they might be involved in social vices that might be detrimental to the society,” he warned.
A resource person and an accident survivor, Ms. Divine Azubuike, urged the inmates not to see themselves as rejected people, but must strive to carve a niche for themselves.
The caretaker of the home, Mr. John lekpa, said the home was yet to receive any support from the government, individuals and other groups, adding that since 2014 that the National Association of Seadogs adopted the home, the major support comes from them.
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