Yongxing Steel Company, a Chinese-owned firm operating in Edo State, has donated a building to the Catholic Church-owned Charity Home for the Needy to serve as a new home for orphans.
The facility was officially handed over to the church during a ceremony held in Benin City over the weekend.
Speaking at the event, a representative of the company, Hazel Han, said the plight of the children at the charity home was brought to the attention of the company by the Edo State Office of the First Lady.
According to her, the company subsequently visited the facility and, after assessing the condition of the home, decided to acquire and renovate a new building to provide a more suitable environment for the children and their caregivers.
She said, “Yongxing visited the old home to understand the situation. We saw the condition of the building where the children were living and learned that they had been given notice to vacate the property.
“We felt that the children needed more than temporary assistance. They needed a safe and decent place they could call home. This led Yongxing Steel Company to take the decision to provide a new home for them.
“Yongxing Steel Company has constructed, furnished and equipped this home with essential facilities, including furniture, a generator and other necessary items within our capacity.
“The building and facilities are being handed over to the Catholic Charity Home for the Needy free of charge. There is no rent attached to this donation.
“We hope that this place will provide the children with security, comfort, dignity and an environment where they can learn, grow and build a better future.”
Han explained that the project reflected Yongxing Steel Company’s commitment to assisting vulnerable people and contributing positively to the community.
Representing the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs Edesili Okpebholo-Anani, the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Nimata Ikhilor, praised the company for the initiative.
“It is a celebration of compassion, a celebration of partnership, a celebration of humanity and a celebration of hope,” she said.
The Principal of the home, Rev. Mother Mary Ebewu, said the management was pleasantly surprised after its request to the Chinese company, made through the Office of the First Lady, received a positive response.
She noted that prior to the donation of the building, Yongxing Steel Company had also provided the home with its largest-ever donation of food items.
The Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Benin, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Oyanoafoh, commended Governor Monday Okkpebholo for creating an environment conducive to business activities in Edo State.
He also urged other companies and individuals to follow Yongxing Steel Company’s example by supporting vulnerable members of society through meaningful corporate social responsibility initiatives.