The Ogun State Government said it has revoked the provisional licences granted to 20 private orphanage owners operating in the state, due to non-compliance with regulations and laws prioritising the well-being and safety of vulnerable children in their care.
The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, disclosed on Friday during a meeting with members of private orphanage homes at the ministry’s conference room, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, in the state capital.
The commissioner expressed displeasure over some private orphanage owners’ activities, stating that the state would not tolerate shady practices involving illegal adoption, child trafficking or maltreatment of children in their custody.
She emphasised that orphanages should operate with empathy by empowering and caring for vulnerable children and not doing anything to compromise their safety.
She said the present administration was committed to safeguarding children’s welfare and preventing exploitation, urging them to adhere to laid down guidelines.
The commissioner explained that the essence of operating an orphanage is to give back to society through humanitarian services and as such, anyone found wanting in the discharge of their duties would be prosecuted,
She added that the ministry had taken steps to improve its data collation, to ensure that the number of children brought to the orphanages was recorded and properly documented.
“The state government’s actions aim to protect vulnerable children and maintain the integrity of orphanage services,” she said.
“About 20 orphanages with provisional licences were affected but not all of them were involved in various sharp practices like not following due guidelines on child adoption among other contraventions”.
“But we have withdrawn the provisional licences of these 20 orphanages. We want to take our time to dig deeper and ensure that they are all doing the right things”
“We have told the affected orphanages to reapply after a month and we have given additional guidelines to those with permanent licences to ensure that the standard is not compromised”.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Adejumoke Adewole, said the ministry would not relent in embarking on unscheduled visitation to all orphanage homes in the state, to monitor and evaluate the activities of the owners, and ensure proper compliance with directives.
A representative of the private orphanage owners, Adeyemo Anthony, commended the state for ensuring that orphanage homes were monitored, pledging their support to work together with the government to ensure the welfare and well-being of the children in their care.