Ogun revokes licences of private orphanages

The Ogun State Government has revoked the provisional licences of some private orphanage owners operating in the state due to non-compliance with regulations and laws prioritising the well-being and safety of vulnerable children.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, made this known during a meeting with private orphanage owners, at the ministry in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Adeleye expressed displeasure over some private orphanage owners’ activities, noting that the state would not tolerate shady practices involving adoption, child trafficking or maltreatment of children.

The commissioner emphasised that orphanages should operate with empathy by empowering and caring for vulnerable children.

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She reaffirmed that the present administration was committed at safeguarding children’s welfare and preventing exploitation, urging them to adhere to the guidelines.

According to her, 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 will be prosecuted.

She added that the ministry had taken steps to improve on its data collation to ensure that the number of children brought to the orphanages were recorded and properly documented.

“The state government’s actions aim is to protect vulnerable children and maintain the integrity of orphanage services,” she said.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Adejumoke Adewole, said the ministry would not relent in embarking on unscheduled monitoring to all orphanage homes in the state, to monitor and evaluate the activities of the owners to ensure proper compliance to directives.

A representative of the private orphanage owners, Mrs. Adeyemo Anthony, commended the state for efforts towards ensuring orphanage homes were monitored, pledging their support to work together with the government to ensure the welfare and well-being of the vulnerable persons.