…Set to build N500m home for destitute in Ajah
By Pepertua Egesimba
The Lagos Metropolitan Council of the Ladies of St. Mulumba (LSM), a philanthropic society in the Catholic Church, will soon commence the construction of a home for the destitute. The facility, whose cost was put at N500 million, would be located at Oko-Olomi, Bodije, Ajah, Lagos.
According to the president of the council, Lady Monica Eigbe, the construction of the home became necessary in order to help the poor and needy, and the displaced in the society.
Speaking recently at the third metro convention of the Ladies of St. Mulumba Nigeria, Lagos Metropolitan Council, which held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Amuwo Odofin, Aigbe condemned high-level moral decadence in the country and called on all stakeholders, including the church and the family, to come together and tackle the menace before it got out of hand.
In his talk on the theme “The Impact of Moral Brokenness of Our Time: Remedies for Future Generations,” the dean of Festac Deanery, Rev. Fr. Jerome Akinyemi, noted that, in the current situation, Christians have derailed from the essential doctrines of God and the moral code.
While highlighting lack of proper education, transparency, accountability and training as possible causes of moral decadence and brokenness in the society, the priest was unequivocal in his submission that following God’s moral and ethical guidelines remained the surest way of ensuring a crime-free and morally sound society.
He also expressed regret that the society had allowed culture and tradition to replace moral and ethical codes and called for a return to all that is sacred.
He said, “Parents and guardians owe it a duty to teach their children and wards and, indeed, their entire household, a sense of the sacred right at home before they ever step their feet into any formal or institutionalised learning environment. Putting it in a simpler way, moral instruction must begin in pre-school years. The foundation for a child’s moral/spiritual inclination must be laid early.”
Earlier, at the mass, Rev. Fr. Henry Ogbonna, while acknowledging the philanthropic efforts of the Ladies of St. Mulumba over the years, charged them to redouble their efforts at assisting the church and the society as a whole. He equally urged them to always place premium on their spiritual life so as not to miss heaven.
The ladies were not left all alone at the event, as they were well supported by their male counterparts, the Knights of St. Mulumba.
The chief launcher, Mr. Patrick Ubajiaka, donated N5 million and also pledged to personally build the chapel to be located inside the home for the destitute, estimated to cost N7m. Several other knights made handsome donations in millions of naira in support of the project, including offering to render free professional services.
Over 2,000 delegates attended the convention, which was chaired by Mr. S.N. Obi and hosted by LSM Lagos Metropolitan Council Region 3, made up of Festac Town, Lagos Island, Ojo and Satellite Town sub-councils.