*As COWLSO donates N60m worth of items to 11 orphanage homes

THE Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), under the chairmanship of the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, donated household and essential items worth ₦60 million to 11 orphanage homes across the state.
 
The above amount represents the total cost of intervention and relief materials presented to eleven orphanages including cheque meant for school support and purchase of needed medications for children in some of the orphanages.
 
Speaking at the event, which is the sixth edition of the presentation of relief items to orpahanages in Lagos State by COWLSO, held at the Banquet Hall of the First Lady’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja, the First Lady reaffirmed COWLSO’s commitment to supporting vulnerable children and underserved communities, noting that the initiative reflects compassion, unity, and the collective responsibility to care for the less privileged.
 
She stated that since the inception of the programme in 2020, over 70 orphanage homes have been visited and supported through the provision of essential items and financial assistance running into several millions of naira.
 
According to her, the initiative has recorded steady growth, expanding from an initial intervention of ₦5.5 million in 2020 to ₦60 million in 2026, demonstrating the administration’s increasing commitment to social welfare and inclusion.
 
Sanwo-Olu explained that the beneficiary homes were selected through a rigorous and transparent process carried out by a 33-member committee drawn from the five IBILE divisions: Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos, and Epe, adding that the selection was based on structured assessments and critical evaluation of needs to ensure fairness and impact.
 
She listed the some of the items distributed to include Smart Televisions, Deep Freezers, Standing Fans,
Washing machines , Air Conditioners , Generators, Gas Cooker, Mattresses and Pillows, 5KVA Inverters, Big Canopies, food items, beverages, toiletries, and soaps, all carefully selected based on identified needs of the homes.
 
The First Lady emphasized that the donations were not arbitrary but tailored to address specific gaps and improve living conditions, operational efficiency, and overall well-being of residents in the orphanages.
 
She commended the dedication of the 33-member committee, as well as the IBILE group heads and central coordinating team, particularly the Coordinator, Mrs. Azeezat Ibijoke Tijani, and the Secretary, Mrs. Bukola Sarat Akinloye, for their commitment to the success of the initiative.
 
Sanwo-Olu also applauded caregivers and management of orphanage homes for their selfless service, describing them as “builders of hope and shapers of the future.”
 
Reaffirming COWLSO’s commitment, she pledged continued investment in impactful and people-centered initiatives aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable residents across Lagos State.
 
She further called on stakeholders across government, private sector, and civil society to collaborate in creating a more inclusive society where every child is valued and given the opportunity to thrive.
 
The 11 orphanage homes that revived the donated items are:Brainy Kid Foundation, Ipaja and House of Mercy Children’s Home, Egbeda under Ikeja Division,
Poget Care Homes Foundation, Badagry, Friends of Beth Torrey Home, Amuwo Odofin under Badagry Division
 
Others are: Child of Life Line, Ikorodu, Lagos State Government Rehabilitation and Training Centre, Majidun, Shayofunmi Care Agency, Ikorodu West LCDA, Echoes of Mercy and Hope Foundation, Maryland, Street Child Care & Welfare, Yaba, Cerebral Palsy Centre, Ibeju-Lekki and Destiny Trust Homes, Bogije under Ikorodu, Lagos and Epe Divisions respectively.