Wife of Plateau State Governor, Mrs Regina Lalong chose the nation’s 55th anniversary to share an unforgettable moment with children going through hardship.

Many of the needy children she visited lost their parents during the intermittent battles in Plateau State. In some communities, raiders swooped on sleeping residents, nearly wiping out the settlements. In some cases, couples and their children were cut down. In some other cases, some children survived, though their parents did not. Some of those child-survivors have ended up in orphanages, one of which Mrs. Regina Lalong, wife of Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, visited in Kangan village in Jos South Local Government of the state.

The visit was significant because it cheered up the children, who for the most part are often forgotten by the larger society. The call on the orphanage was equally remarkable for other reasons. Mrs Lalong could have chosen to do the usual, observe schoolchildren marching in the stadium or even take the salute as they filed past. After all, it was the country’s 55th independence anniversary.

Clapai Orphanage which she visited is managed by a couple Mr and Mrs Nyabam. There are at least 350 orphans there. Most of the boys and girls at the centre were made orphans in the course of the protracted civil unrest in the state.

In visiting the orphanage, Mrs Regina Lalong accompanied by wife of the state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Abigail Tyoden went with a truck-load of assorted items required for the use of the children. The items included mattresses, blankets, laundry soaps, toilet soaps, sanitary items etc. The truck also contained food items like bags of rice, beans, cartons of noodles, carton of biscuits etc. it also contained assorted brands of beverages and chocolate foods.

While presenting the items to the children, Mrs Regina said, “I decided to be with these children on this special day of Nigeria independent and share little love with them. As wife of the state governor, I consider myself as the mother of these children. I also believe that these children are not orphans, they are Nigerian children and they should be catered for by Nigerian government.

“The government of All Progressive Congress (APC) is a government for all segments of society on the Plateau. It is our duty to provide for all citizens of the state including these children in special care home. So today I came with my a little within my disposal to offer as a gift to my children. We are still new in government and I have little to offer. I feel that it is not when I have enough, even the little I have I should be able to extend to my children, nothing is too small and something is always better than nothing at all.

“But then I have to express my appreciation to the manager of this centre for taking the initiative to create a centre for these less privilege children. If you had not done this, I would have not been able to locate them for a visit. These are children of God and God in Heaven will reward you abundantly for taking care of them on behalf of God. I want to use this opportunity to call on all spirited individuals and Organisations to come and assist those who are providing care for these children. The population of the children is much and they require assistance of every Nigeria for their daily upkeep.

While receiving the items, Mrs. Nyabam, coordinator of the orphanage said, “We never expected this visit from the state First Lady, because no First Lady has ever visited us in this manner on Nigerian Independence anniversary. As you can see the children are so happy and elated over your presence in their midst. We have nothing to say other to pray that God will replenish your pocket in thousands fold. We will continued to pray for the success of the APC administration in the state and may the hands that give never dry.

Mrs Lalong also visited Plateau state specialists hospital to show love to patients on admission in the hospital. The governor’s wife went round all the wards of the hospital and presented hand-pack containing assorted items. The gift items also include envelope containing an undisclosed sum of money. Accompanied by the Chief Medical Director of the Specialists Hospital Dr. Philemon Golwa, Mrs Lalong told the patients that, “Please accept my widow’s might, I decided to share this challenging moment with you on this historic day, I know if you are in your various homes, you will join millions of Nigeria to celebrate this day, but you are here because of health challenge which I know is temporal. So don’t be discouraged, remain hopeful because God is with you and is aware of the moment you are passing through. So, get well soon and go home, the hospital is not your home,” said Mrs Lalong.

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Regina Lalong visits orphans of Plateau attacks at orphanage