Kwara orphanages deny unregistered home where 30 children were rescued

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The Association of Orphanages and Home Operators in Nigeria, Kwara State chapter, has dissociated itself from the Iranlowo Oluwa Orphanage and Children’s Home, an unapproved facility where 30 children were rescued in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

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The association, in a statement issued on Friday, said the facility was neither a registered member of ASOHON nor known to the organisation, stressing that its members operated homes recognised and approved by the state government.

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The statement was signed by the association’s Chairman, Omolehin Christie, and its Secretary, Ayub AbdulGaniy.

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The development came less than 24 hours after officials of the Kwara State Ministry of Social Development rescued the 30 children, comprising boys and girls aged between two and 15, from the facility.

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ASOHON said, “The illegal orphanage recently detected by government officials, where 30 children were rescued, is not a registered member of our association and is not known to us.

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“ASOHON Kwara State operates only recognised, registered, and approved homes that adhere to the guidelines and regulations of the Kwara State Ministry of Social Development.

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“We therefore totally dissociate ourselves from the operations of such illegal home(s) and condemn any act that endangers the welfare and safety of children.”

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ASOHON also commended the Commissioner for Social Development, Mariam Nnfatima Imam, and officials of the ministry for their intervention, describing the action as important to the protection of vulnerable children.

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“We commend and sincerely thank the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Social Development and her dedicated staff for their prompt action and commitment to child protection in Kwara State,” the association stated.

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It pledged to continue working with the ministry to promote compliance with regulations governing orphanages and homes across the state.

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Meanwhile, the state government has commenced the assessment and rehabilitation of the 30 children rescued from the facility.

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The children have since been moved to a government-approved shelter, where they are receiving medical attention, food and psychosocial support as the ministry works to establish their backgrounds and determine appropriate long-term care arrangements.

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The Commissioner said the immediate priority was to assess the children’s health, educational needs and general welfare while efforts were being made to trace their families.

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“The children are undergoing comprehensive medical screening, nutrition support and psychosocial counselling, while the ministry is also working on family tracing and reunification, where appropriate,” Imam said.

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She added that children who could not be safely reunited with their families would be considered for placement in approved care facilities after proper documentation and assessment.

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Imam also directed operators of orphanages, children’s homes and other childcare institutions in the state to ensure that their facilities were duly registered and approved by the ministry.

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She ordered approved facilities to display the inscription, “Approved by the Kwara State Government,” on their signposts to enable members of the public to identify authorised homes.

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The Director of Social Work in the ministry, Alhaji Hamzat Abdulfatah, who participated in the rescue operation, said the intervention had reinforced the need for stakeholders to work together to protect vulnerable children.

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“This intervention has given these children hope and encouraged us to work together. We now understand that if we manage this process properly and follow due process, these children will have the opportunity to live better and more fulfilled lives,” Abdulfatah said.Kwara orphanage operators denies illegal home harbouring 30 children

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By Toheeb Omotayo, Ilorin

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The Association of Orphanages and Home Operators in Nigeria, Kwara State chapter, has dissociated itself from the Iranlowo Oluwa Orphanage and Children’s Home, an unapproved facility where 30 children were rescued in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

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The association, in a statement issued on Friday, said the facility was neither a registered member of ASOHON nor known to the organisation, stressing that its members operated homes recognised and approved by the state government.

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The statement was signed by the association’s Chairman, Omolehin Christie, and its Secretary, Ayub AbdulGaniy.

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The development came less than 24 hours after officials of the Kwara State Ministry of Social Development rescued the 30 children, comprising boys and girls aged between two and 15, from the facility.

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ASOHON said, “The illegal orphanage recently detected by government officials, where 30 children were rescued, is not a registered member of our association and is not known to us.

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“ASOHON Kwara State operates only recognised, registered, and approved homes that adhere to the guidelines and regulations of the Kwara State Ministry of Social Development.

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“We therefore totally dissociate ourselves from the operations of such illegal home(s) and condemn any act that endangers the welfare and safety of children.”

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ASOHON also commended the Commissioner for Social Development, Mariam Nnfatima Imam, and officials of the ministry for their intervention, describing the action as important to the protection of vulnerable children.

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“We commend and sincerely thank the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Social Development and her dedicated staff for their prompt action and commitment to child protection in Kwara State,” the association stated.

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It pledged to continue working with the ministry to promote compliance with regulations governing orphanages and homes across the state.

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Meanwhile, the state government has commenced the assessment and rehabilitation of the 30 children rescued from the facility.

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The children have since been moved to a government-approved shelter, where they are receiving medical attention, food and psychosocial support as the ministry works to establish their backgrounds and determine appropriate long-term care arrangements.

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The Commissioner said the immediate priority was to assess the children’s health, educational needs and general welfare while efforts were being made to trace their families.

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“The children are undergoing comprehensive medical screening, nutrition support and psychosocial counselling, while the ministry is also working on family tracing and reunification, where appropriate,” Imam said.

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She added that children who could not be safely reunited with their families would be considered for placement in approved care facilities after proper documentation and assessment.

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Imam also directed operators of orphanages, children’s homes and other childcare institutions in the state to ensure that their facilities were duly registered and approved by the ministry.

n

She ordered approved facilities to display the inscription, “Approved by the Kwara State Government,” on their signposts to enable members of the public to identify authorised homes.

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The Director of Social Work in the ministry, Alhaji Hamzat Abdulfatah, who participated in the rescue operation, said the intervention had reinforced the need for stakeholders to work together to protect vulnerable children.

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“This intervention has given these children hope and encouraged us to work together. We now understand that if we manage this process properly and follow due process, these children will have the opportunity to live better and more fulfilled lives,” Abdulfatah said.

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