As part of the activities to mark the 70th birthday of the Executive Director of Corporate Services in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, the celebrant appealed to organizations and the ruling class in the country to endeavor to reach out to the less privileged, especially in these trying times.
Abegunde, who disclosed this recently, made the remarks when he visited the Home for the Elderly, run by the Catholic Church in Port Harcourt, in the company of the commission’s top officials, including the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, and other Directors of NDDC. He expressed appreciation to God for the privilege to serve humanity as the Executive Director of Corporate Services at NDDC.
He prayed for more blessings upon the elderly people in society and appealed to privileged individuals and corporate organizations not to relent in giving alms to the needy when necessary.
The celebrant, however, donated a large number of various food items to the home to support the vulnerable and improve the lives of elderly citizens.
Speaking, the NDDC Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, highlighted the need for the ruling class and organizations to support the church in caring for the elderly, adding that schemes should be created to help the downtrodden and cater to the poor.
He also lauded Hon. Abegunde for his outstanding contributions to public service, community development, and the advancement of good governance, describing him as a humanist whose dedication and compassion have positively impacted countless lives across the Niger Delta.
Furthermore, the Home for the Elderly received from the NDDC team plenty of bags of rice, beans, tubers of yam, cartons of noodles, toiletries, and an unquoted yet tangible amount of cash.
The commission’s Executive Director of Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde (2nd left), with his wife, Jumoke Abegunde (2nd right), during the presentation of food items to the Patron of the Home for the Elderly, Rev. Sister Mary Jane Raphael (left), NDDC Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye (right), and other team members of the commission.
Upon accepting the items with joy and energy, the home’s patron, Rev. Sister Mary Jane Raphael, expressed heartfelt thanksgiving to the NDDC team for the gesture, assuring that such an act would significantly help address some of the challenges they face in feeding the elderly people in the facility.
In her words: “I am pleased that the NDDC management is here today to support us. We appeal to the Commission to help us with some basic infrastructure.”
In his remarks, the Representative of Rivers State on the NDDC Board, Chief Tony Okocha, mentioned Abegunde’s legacy of philanthropy, owing to his tireless efforts to uplift the less privileged through various initiatives.
According to Okocha: “As we celebrate Abegunde, we are reminded of his profound impact and enduring legacy of service. Hon. Abegunde exemplifies integrity, excellence, and selfless devotion to humanity. His journey inspires generations to emulate the virtues of compassion and leadership. His life has been a testament to resilience, purposeful leadership, and unwavering commitment to societal growth.”
