It was a day of rejoicing as the brand new InnerCity Mission Children’s Center was commissioned in Aiyetoro community in Southwest, Nigeria.

  

As with most communities of its kind, Aiyetoro lacks basic amenities and is characterised by poor infrastructure. The building of the InnerCity Mission Children’s Center was an answer to the cry of the community dwellers for a facility where their children would be engaged positively instead of roaming the streets.

The commissioning had in attendance esteemed Partners of the InnerCity Mission, key stakeholders of the community such as the Council Leader, the Baale of the community, CDA Chairman, community Chiefs, and other invited guests.

At the cutting of the tape, the Esteemed Director of the InnerCity Mission, Pastor Omoh Alabi, spoke words of blessings as she declared that the Children’s Center will “usher the community into a new region of prosperity and good. It will be a place where children can come to and they can dream and from here they will take the whole world.”

After the Center was declared open, guests were taken on a tour of the facility and shown the amenities which included classrooms, offices, a kitchen and the restroom area. Thereafter, they were treated to a reception where various stakeholders appreciated the InnerCity Mission and her Partners for the great work of building the Center in the community.

In the words of Honourable Solomon Gbinigie, Councillor (Ward A), Yaba Local Council Development Area, “You say “every child is your child”; if every one of us can look at that concept, Nigeria will be a better place.”

The children of the community had a special presentation where they expressed their gratitude in songs and they also received special educational packs which they would use whenever they visit the Center.

The Children’s Center in Aiyetoro community was fully sponsored by InnerCity Mission’s corporate partner, RevolutionPlus Property Group. In her words, the Group Executive Director of the Group, Mrs Tolu Onalaja, said that “Revolution Plus is known for giving back. All we know is a life of giving. We believe as a brand that, the only thing we can give back to the country that has housed our business and given us the opportunity to thrive is to give back to society.”

This Children’s center is one of the many InnerCity Mission buildings around the world in inner cities and internally displaced persons camps to serve vulnerable children. These centers are safe spaces where indigent children can learn, play, receive mentoring and, of course, nutritious meals.

The Group Managing Director of Revolution Plus, Bamidele Onalaja called on everyone to be a part of the work of the InnerCity Mission. He said “Every child is your child – that statement alone should inspire every individual, every corporate organisation to sponsor and support the children. Because the less privileged children also want to do big things but because they don’t have the opportunity they can’t do it. But God gave us the opportunity to do it … that’s why it is very important that everyone partners with the InnerCity Mission.”

For more information on how you can partner with the InnerCity Mission in building Children’s Centers around the world, please email info@theinnercitymission.org.

You can also donate at icm.ngo/donate.