ASOHON Disowns Illegal Orphanage Home In Kwara
* As Govt Begins Rehabilitation Of 30 Rescued Children
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Association of Orphanages and Home Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON), Kwara State chapter, has disowned the Iranlowo Oluwa Orphanage and Children’s Home, where 30 children were rescued by the state government, saying the facility was neither registered with the association nor known to it.
ASOHON, in a statement issued on Friday and signed by its Chairman, Dr Mrs Omolehin Christie and the secretary, Ayub AbdulGaniy, said its members operated only recognised and approved homes and distanced itself from the facility a day after the Kwara State Ministry of Social Development carried out the rescue operation.
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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,” the association stated.
The children, comprising boys and girls between the ages of two and 15, were rescued from the unapproved facility in Ilorin on Thursday following concerns about their welfare and living conditions.
ASOHON said registered operators in the state were expected to comply with the rules and regulations governing the operation of childcare facilities.
“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,” it said.
The association further condemned the operation of unapproved homes, saying children in such facilities could be exposed to abuse, neglect and other forms of danger.
“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,” ASOHON stated.
The association also commended the Commissioner for Social Development, Hajiya Mariam Nnfatima Imam, and officials of the ministry for their prompt intervention.
“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 said.
ASOHON said it would continue to collaborate with the ministry to ensure that children in the state are protected and adequately cared for.
“We remain committed to working with the Ministry to ensure all children in Kwara State are safe and well cared for,” it added.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government has commenced the post-rescue assessment and rehabilitation of the 30 children, who have been moved to a government-approved shelter.
The Ministry of Social Development said the children were receiving proper care, medical attention, nutrition support and psychosocial counselling as officials assessed their immediate and long-term needs.
The Commissioner for Social Development, Imam, said the intervention was aimed at safeguarding the rights and welfare of the children while determining their health, educational and family circumstances.
“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,” the commissioner said.
She explained that children who could not be reunited with their families would be considered for placement in approved care facilities after proper documentation, assessment and follow-up.
Imam also directed all orphanages, children’s homes and other childcare institutions operating in Kwara State to ensure that they were duly registered and approved by the ministry.
She directed approved facilities to prominently display the inscription, “Approved by the Kwara State Government,” on their signposts to enable members of the public identify facilities authorised to operate.
The Director of Social Work, Alhaji Hamzat Abdulfatah, who participated in the rescue operation, said the intervention had reinforced the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders involved in child protection.
“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.
The ministry said efforts were ongoing to trace the families of the rescued children and determine appropriate care arrangements for those who could not be reunited with their relatives.
