By Temitope Ojo
We must thank God for good health. Many died in 2015 but we all are alive to see the goodness of God.
“Year 2016 is a glorious year. It is a year of all round celebration because God has assured us that it shall be loaded with blessings,” said Aramide Oikelome, president of Bestspring Children and Youth Development Foundation (also called Bestspring Foundation).
She spoke at a thanksgiving party hosted by the non governmental organisation (NGO). It was a day of joy for hundreds of orphans, vulnerable children, and widows in Ijegun, a suburb of Lagos.
Oikelome led the participants in powerful prayers of thanksgiving, as they sought the Lord for more blessings.
The event, held on the expansive premises of Tawakalita Plaza on Alli Momodu Street, Ijegun, from 3pm to 7pm, featured special testimonies, songs, praises, and dance as well as a talk show to harness God-given talents in youths.
There was free distribution of food items such as rice, noodles, beverages; toys for children; clothing materials, shoes, and hand bags.
Oikelome thanked the Lord for the smooth operation of Bestspring and the preservation of lives. She prayed that 2016 would be another glorious year.
Her words: “We have reasons to thank God as year 2015 draws to an end. Although things were pretty tough for many people, our God showed up in our affairs and didn’t allow any of our members to be put to shame.”
The foundation started 13 years ago to offer succour to the needy, especially orphans and vulnerable children.
It has outreaches in several areas of Lagos, including Ijegun and Akute, and plans to expand to other places in the new year.
“We also reach out to different orphanages in order to provide succour to both children and their caregivers so as to heal the world and make it a better place for all.
“The items we distribute to widows and orphans are donated by friends and partners. They include clothes, shoes, hand bags, bags of rice, salt, noodles, among others,” Oikelome disclosed.
She said running the foundation is challenging, but eventful and fulfilling, and expressed hope that the coming years will see expansion in services to mankind, especially the needy.
“Despite the numerous challenges we face in the cause of doing this work, I have seen lives transformed; l have seen people rise from the state of abject poverty and hopelessness to the level of comfort, radiance and hope.
“I have seen people delivered and healed. I have seen children move from failure to success; from last position to topping the class.
“The testimonies shared today by some of the beneficiaries attest to the fact that this is a very laudable and impactful outreach that is inspiring joy and hope in our people.
“Our scholarship scheme has also helped a lot of orphans to have stable education.
“It has equally helped families, as many widows have been supported to fend for their children while those who had nothing doing before have been aided to become busy in lucrative ventures.
“I believe that the year 2016 will be a year of greater heights for the ministry, the partners, the widows and the orphans, as God will do a lot of good things in our midst.”
Children from Bestspring were also hosted by a franchise of Tantalizers to a Christmas party where they were given food and gifts.
Other projects of the foundation include provision of books and other educational materials for children, renovation of orphanages, provision of furniture and basic materials to such homes, health awareness campaigns, and relationship talks for singles and teens.
It also provides mentorship, guidance and moral counseling for children, youths and their caregivers, and defends the rights of children against all forms of abuse.
It plans to establish a well-equipped skills acquisition centre to train and empower youths and widows in various skills and crafts.
“The vision of this institution is to be the best orphanage of choice in Nigeria and beyond, where every battered, rejected and hopeless child receives all-round healing and transformation; where vulnerable lives are transformed and their hopes restored.
“Our goal is to usher many sons and daughters into their glorious destiny,” Oikelome stressed.
The foundation has its building project in Olambe, Akute, a border town between Lagos and Ogun States, which will provide shelter for orphans and motherless babies.
Oikelome had earlier hosted a dinner in Oregun, Lagos for sponsors and supporters of the foundation, where she thanked individuals, organisations, and groups for their donations in cash and kind.
She appealed for more support to enable Bestspring impact more lives positively.
“You will be able to help us build a sustainable future for the less privileged children, youths and their care givers in developing communities, both in Lagos and Ogun States.”
Bulletin
FGC Oredola holds marriage seminar
Foursquare Gospel Church (FGC) Oredola in Ajuwon, Lagos will hold a marriage seminar on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1 with the theme “Better than before”.
It is designed to stimulate vitality in marital relationships, according to Segun Ojo, the host pastor, who reiterated that the plan of God is for Christians to enjoy marriages, not to endure them, and it is not in the perfect will of God for homes to break up.
“Many Christian homes endure their marital relationships, and this is not good for the spiritual health of the church. God designed marriage for the happiness and fulfilment of His children,” he said.
Toyin Olufadeji and his wife, both ministers, will be guest speakers.