The Association of Orphanages and Homes Operators in Nigeria has said the N251m donation made to orphanages by popular singer, David Adeleke, aka Davido, has not been embezzled.
At a press conference organised by the Lagos State chapter of the association, the national president, Dr Gabriel Oyediji, stated that the money had been disbursed as it ought to. He told Saturday Beats, “Ten per cent of the money went to organisations that are not orphanages but are involved in social care. Davido also said he added some organisations that don’t deal with children but are doing good works. The N251m was shared by the panel he created for the distribution.
“The money was distributed to individual homes. It was not sent to the association. I guess they did the sharing according to the number of children in each home, looking at an average of N25,000 per orphan. Some homes got as much as N1m, while some got as little as N25,000. Some did not even get anything.
Praising Davido for the kind gesture, Oyediji said, “Davido is a legend. He did something very unusual, outstanding and shocking. He is not the richest person in the country but I believe God directed him to do what he did. What he did is a seed and he can never be poor. As he has sown the seed of love, the God of the orphans will continue to bless him.
“We have an appreciation plaque for Davido and we are looking for a way to present it to him for touching lives.”
The financial secretary of ASOHON and the coordinator of Home of God’s Grace Orphanage, Ikorodu, Omolaide Olufunke, also said, “When I heard that Davido was going to give orphanages support, I was happy. I was also skeptical about whether it would get to us or not. When we eventually got the money, I was very happy. My orphanage got over N200,000. I want to say a big ‘thank you’ to Davido and I pray that God will grant his own heart desires too.” (Punch)
