The donations included essential items such as foodstuffs, clothing, educational materials, and hygiene products and indicated a step towards strengthening the bond between the institution and the local community.
By Eme Offiong
In a heartwarming gesture of community support, the participants of the Naval Warfare Course 8 have made a significant donation to an orphanage known as the Cross River State Children’s Home.
The Commandant of the Naval War College Nigeria, Rear Admiral Ahmed, during the handover of the donation, emphasized the importance of supporting vulnerable members of society, especially children, who have lost the care and protection of parents.
Rear Admiral Ahmed, who stated that the donation was reflective of the commitment of the participants to give back to society, particularly to underprivileged children in orphanages, reiterated the college’s profound obligation to engage in charitable activities to uplift the less privileged.
“We are at the children’s home to appreciate the efforts of the caregivers of the children in this orphanage. But, it is part of humanity because when God blesses us, we owe it a duty to bless the less privileged.
“My team and I are here with a token on behalf of the graduates of Course 8 and the Naval War College as part of the graduation ceremony. We present this token to the children and to encourage you, the caregivers, to continue to do your best because these children belong to everybody,” he stated.
The Commandant urged people to sacrifice a little for the upkeep of the children, reasoning that the underprivileged need the collective support of all to survive the hard times.
A Little Sacrifice
Rear Admiral Ahmed said, “There is a popular saying,’ Givers never lack’. So, the more a person gives, the more God will bless such a giver. Besides, giving does not mean having an abundance before reaching out. No matter the little a person has, when such gives, that pain of giving is what counts as a sacrifice.
“So, Nigerians should endeavour to sacrifice, show love to the underprivileged and see that they too survive even though times are hard. We would continue to engage in initiatives aimed at uplifting the less fortunate in society,” Rear Admiral Ahmed said.
Responding, the Director of Social Welfare, who represented the Commissioner for Social Welfare, Mrs Obeten Davis expressed deep gratitude for the college’s timely intervention, noting that the items would go a long way in improving the quality of life for the children.
The representative of the children’s home described the gesture as an exemplary act of kindness worthy of emulation, noting that the items donated would positively impact the well-being of the children.
The event, which was attended by staff and participants of the Naval War College, featured a brief welcome song by the children and prayers for the graduates, the Commandant and the war college as well as the Nigerian Armed forces as a whole.
The donations included essential items such as foodstuffs, clothing, educational materials, and hygiene products and indicated a step towards strengthening the bond between the institution and the local community.