By Iyiola Pedro & Taire Okudolo
Ikorodu (Lagos State) – A Non-Governmental Organisation, the Shelter of Grace Foundation, on Saturday hosted no fewer than 1000 people at a banquet to celebrate the festive season.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, themed: “Love Feast at Christmas: Feeding 1,000 Plus’’ was held in Ikorodu, Lagos.
It featured performances such as music, drama, comedy and cultural display.
Mrs Folashade Olabanji-Oba, co-ordinator, Shelter of Grace Foundation, said the gesture was borne out of the need to reach out to less-privileged in the community.
She said: “ Love is the reason for the season. For us, we just believe in expressing love; it’s about giving and sharing and putting smiles on people’s faces.
“We realise that at this time, there are so many of us in the society that don’t really have that kind of family setting to share love and also encourage one another.
“We are there to hold up one another; to say no matter what anybody might be going through, the best is yet to come; we are here to have fun.’’
Olabanji-Oba, who is also the Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Central Local Government, said the event had no political undertone.
“We invited members of the Community Development Association, Community Development Committee, Christian Association of Nigeria, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, as well as residents of Ikorodu to make everybody know that we are all as important.”
She urged members of the public to always be willing stretch a hand of support to persons in need within the society.
“It starts with an attitude of being ready to serve, being committed to whatever we want to do, no matter how little it may seem.
“If all of us start that and it becomes a way of life, I feel our community will be much better for it,’’ she added.
Mr Babajimi Benson, Member, Federal House of Representatives, representing Ikorodu Constituency, commended the gesture.
“I am always glad to be associated with individuals or groups that help the less-privileged, so, anytime and anywhere that is happening, I will always be there.
“Olabanji-Oba Folashade is setting a right example by giving back to the needy and to the poor, and I think that is a right thing to do.’’
A beneficiary, Mr Oloto Yekini, who spoke to NAN, urged the organisers to extend the gesture to more people in subsequent editions.
“I believe at a time like this, people, especially the less privileged, need changes in the neighbourhood.
“We need to touch lives and I believe that is the objective of the programme. I have enjoyed every bit of today’s event,’’ he said.
Shelter of Grace Foundation was founded in 2013 to prevent and manage sickle cell diseases, rehabilitate abused women and children, promote education and empower less-privileged and the indigent.(NAN)