The provisional licences of 20 private orphanage owners operating in Ogun State has recently been revoked due to non-compliance with laws prioritising the well-being and safety of vulnerable children in their care.
Adijat Adeleye, the Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development disclosed this during a meeting with members of private orphanage homes, expressed displeasure over practices and activities of some private orphanage owners’ stating that the state would not tolerate shady practices involving illegal adoption, child trafficking or maltreatment of children in their custody.
Adeleye while speaking stressed that orphanages should operate with empathy by empowering and caring for vulnerable children and not doing anything to compromise their safety.
She further reiterated the current administration’s committement to safeguarding children’s welfare and preventing exploitation, urging them to adhere to guidelines that were laid down.
“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“But we have withdrawn the provisional licences of these 20 orphanages.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”.
Adejumoke Adewole, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, has maintained that the ministry would not relent in embarking on unscheduled visitation to all orphanage homes in the state to monitor and evaluate the owners’ activities 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.