27th July, 2011
When the member representing Epe Constituency 2 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Olusegun Olulade, clocked 40 few days ago, many would have thought he would mark it with a celebration that would make news for months to come.
But against such expectation, the lawmaker decided to spend time with some of the less privileged in the society by visiting God’s Grace Ministry for Widows and Orphans, Agbowa, where the proprietress, Mrs. Grace Boluwajoko, who said she had 56 children in the home, prayed for him endlessly.
Boluwajoko, who could not hold back her emotion over the unexpected visit and presentation of various gift items to the orphanage, said although people have always been supporting her in taking care of the children, it was the first time a politician would celebrate his birthday with them.
She said the first child the orphanage raised is now a 200 level student in one of the nation’s universities.
According to her, “there are children here who were brought by their aged grandmothers because they have become too fragile to take care of them. There are those who were brought by their struggling brothers who cannot care for them because they do not have parents and steady means of livelihood.”
She appealed for more support for the orphanage.
Olulade, while stressing that he chose to celebrate his birthday with the children because he thought they needed love from the people around them, noted that “every child is ours. There’s no child without a mother and father. They were just held hostage by circumstances.
“The children have been put in our care now and we must do our duty in that regard. They did not tell themselves they would be born by parents who would not be alive to take care of them.
“They did not also reject being born by the likes of Babatunde Fashola, Bola Tinubu and Aliko Dangote.
“It is not their fault and this is why we should not forget them. If I wanted to celebrate it the way people think, I would invite musicians, we would eat and drink, but at the end of the day, nobody thanks you or prays for you.”
He promised to always visit the orphanage and assist in the development of the children.
The lawmaker thereafter visited the LASEMA Relief Camp, Agbowa, where the victims of the 2010 flood disaster are housed and cared for by the state government and also presented them with cash and gifts of various items.
Addressing the victims, Olulade said instead of celebrating with those who already have enough, he decided to come so he could contribute to their welfare.
“You are my people and you voted for me and my party overwhelmingly during the last election. During my campaign, I told you that everything that happens to you happens to me also. I want to re-assure you that in your plight, we are together,” he said.
Assuring the victims, he said he will always champion their cause on the floor of the House and ensure that they are not forgotten.
“I am aware that the state government has provided land for you to build. We know about causes of flood in the state and government is addressing it,” he assured.