Y.U.F Holds Charity Outreach Programme In Remembrance Of Late Yima
By Prosper Okoye-
The Yima Utoo Foundation (Y.U.F) has on Monday, embarked on a charity outreach visit, to the TIVID and Gidan Bege orphanages in Makurdi, to commemorate the 18th year, since the demise of late Engineer Yima Utoo.
While presenting the charity items, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the foundation, Engr. Samuel Utoo, who was represented by Mrs. Shiva-Rae Kondoun, said, the foundation was established to continue the passion of selflessness and caring for others, of which the late Yima Utoo enjoyed doing while alive.
In her words: “We chose to come to you today, because today marks exactly the 18th year we lost Yima in far away Germany.
“Yima Utoo was an only son of his mother and father. He graduated as a civil engineer, from the University of Nsukka, taking after his father’s profession.
“It is while we waited for him to proceed for NYSC, that he started having stomach pain. Initially, We had thought it was something minor, because, Yima was not known to be sick. But later, diagnoses showed he had developed cancer of the colon.
“With the help of God, we took him to Germany, where he received the best medical care. But he didn’t survive. That was the time it pleased God, and he called Yima back.”
Mrs. Kondoun further narrated an experience that stood out in the life of late Yima. “In the short life that Yima lived, the people that were the best of his people, were those who were less privileged.
He would give whatever he had to the people who had nothing.
“I can still remember when he was in form one, he was at Baptist high school Jos.
We came to pick him during his first holiday, Yima ran and hugged us. We asked him to go back to his hostel and bring his boxes, but he hesitated to go, and said he had nothing to go home with.
We thought that other students have stolen everything from him. He just stood there with no shoes, and was giving me signal.
I came to him, and asked him what had happened to his belonging? He said that: ‘other children didn’t have anything, and so i gave them everything I had.’
“Jos was was too cold, yet Yima gave out everything including his blankets and shoes. We had to Branch at the Terminus market in Jos to buy somethings for him, before we could take him home.”
Presenting the items, the Foundation welfare secretary, Mrs. Judith Hirnyam, noted that the items being donated to the homes, was brought due to the earlier consultations made, so as to determine the pressing things the children needed in the orphanage homes.
Mrs. Hirnyam also enjoined the care givers to make good use of the donated items, so that it can serve the children for a longer period.
Items that were donated at the Gidan Bege Children home, where the foundation team visited first, were: eight wall fans, 25 liters of palm oil, stationery, biscuits and soft drinks.
While receiving the donated items, the Coordinator of Gidan Bege (Home of Hope) orphanage home, pastor Theophilus Jessy, stressed the importance of the items that were donated to the home.
He said: “we didn’t expect such kindness. We are used to having people come to the orphanage home to make promises, after which, we never get to see them again.
“The fans are indeed what the children need in this heat period. It will help to prevent mosquitoes from biting them, as we have spent so much in buying malaria medicines lately.”
Pastor Theophilus appreciated the foundation members; he also commended the altruistic life lived by late Yima; which had led to the establishment of a foundation after his death, in order to continue with his legacy.
The Gidan Bege children home is an all male children home, with 34 boys currently living in the house. Most of them attend Nursery, primary and secondary schools.
Some are university undergraduates, while others are waiting for admission.
“I want to be a doctor when I grow-up.” one of the boys still on his primary school uniform at the time the foundation visited told them, while they interacted with the children. Other little boys went on to mention their desire to become economically productive members of the society.
The atmosphere at the TIVID orphanage home North bank, was even more emotional, as the children expressed their joy of receiving the foundation members, with their songs, speech, and prayers. While the mother of late Engr. Yima Utoo, Lydia Utoo, danced and sang along with the children.
Charity items that was gifted were: One carton of baby food; 25liters of palm oil; eight dozens of exercise books; packs of pencil and biro; soft drinks and biscuits.
Mrs. Felicia Hwande, who spoke on behalf of the YUF foundation president, Prof. James Apam, advised the children who are of mixed gender, not to indulge in sexual immoral acts. She appreciated the management of the home for their thoughtfulness to have provided shelter for the children, when the Fulani Herdsmen crisis displaced them from their communities.
Responding after the donation, Mama Mary Ada Paul, mother of proprietress, TIVID orphanage home, Favour Ada Paul encouraged the mother of late Yima.
“This children you have come to visit today are your children,” Mama Mary said.
She further assured her that Yima was resting in heaven, because he knew God early in life, and lived a positive impactful life while on earth.
While conducting the order of programme for the event, YUF publicity secretary, Dr. Tyotom Keghku, stated that “the foundation has been a bridge to the needy and helpless youths in overcoming their problems.”
Other Programmes of YUF include: Enlightenment seminars, workshops and regular dissemination of relevant information on colon cancer, HIV/AIDS, Drug abuse and other terminal diseases.
Scholarship award to indigent but well behaved students, at secondary and tertiary levels. Medical assistance to the needy youths through hospitals and clinics.
Guidance and counseling to the needy youths.
Promoting sporting activities among youths.
Fund-raising activities to execute the programmes of the foundation.
Research activities and publications on the dangers of societal ills and problems like violence, cultism, drug abuse, armed robbery, laziness and promiscuity.
Empowerment of youths through assistance to acquire basic skills and trades.
And, the Annual Yima Utoo memorial Lecture.
