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July 17, 2025 will remain a significant date in the lives of pupils of Lightway Schools, Tanke, Ilorin. Inspired by love, compassion, empathy, and the need to share, primary school final-year pupils of the schools had approached their proprietor to facilitate their visit to the motherless children home as part of activities marking their graduation ceremonies.
The journey began with fundraising, supported by parents and teachers. What started as a desire soon became a reality as staff, pupils, parents, and PTA executives accompanied the pupils to City of Refuge F&G Orphanage Home on Pipeline Road, Ilorin the Kwara State capital.
It was an excitement laden atmosphere as kids from the orphanage, whose ages ranged from 0 to 17, were brought to receive their visitors.
It started with self introduction of the school pupils, teachers and parents; one after the other.
Mr. David Erinoso the Proprietor of Lightway Schools joyfully related the mission of the school at the orphanage home. He narrated how the visitation was motivated by the story of Eze in the popular school text, Eze Goes to School.
“Eze’s father dies, and all his property and belongings are taken over by extended family members. This action almost caused a setback to Eze’s academic journey until, through the help of good-spirited members of the community who raised funds for him, he was able to go to school. This narrative inspired the children to show love to the children,” he said.
Referencing the biblical injunction on giving, Mr Erinoso appealed to members of the society, especially those who are financially stable, to always remember to show love and care to motherless children.
The children with one of the Lightway Schools parents
The pupils, led by their Senior Prefects, presented gifts to the motherless children as a token of love and care. Speaking on behalf of the final-year pupils, Master Zion Elewide and Miss Jesudara Oyebanre,(Senior Prefects), disclosed that apart from serving as an opportunity to share, the outing taught them not to discriminate against the less privileged. The occasion also afforded them an opportunity to ask questions that had been hanging on their minds.
In a remark, the PTA Chairman Mr. Kayode Afolabi, advised the pupils not to view the children at the orphanage as hopeless but rather as individuals with a brighter future ahead of them.
Ms. Precious Ajayi, daughter of the founder of the home, while expressing gratitude to the pupils, teachers, and parents of Lightway Schools for their kind gesture, described the visit as timely and impactful in addressing some of the home’s pressing needs. She informed that the children in their care range from infants to those in tertiary institutions, explaining further that some of them were brought to the home due to various circumstances, including parental inability to care for them, and other reasons. She, however, appealed to well-to-do members of society for support in any way possible.
Ms Ajayi addressing Lightway visitors
“We have a quite high population of kids; anything you bring in, like foodstuff, clothes, kitchen appliances, and cash, will be useful,” she added.
The Lightway Schools pupils looked fulfilled after the exercise as they waved excitedly at the children who had quickly become friendly with them and their parents.
Items presented to the children of City of Refuge F&G Orphanage Home included a bag of rice, diapers, clothes, snacks, and beverages, among others.
By Sola Rotimi
