HoR condemns abuse of orphanages in the country

By Tom Okpe

The House of Representatives has condemned abuse and proliferation of orphanages in the country, urging the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to interface with all 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) for immediate and full compliance of the mandate of orphanages, across the country.

The House also, mandated the Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to ensure standardization of orphanages and close down Homes that are under-resourced.

These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion titled, “Need to stem the tide of Proliferation of Orphanage Home in Nigeria” moved by Rep Emerengwa Boniface Sunday at plenary on Wednesday.

READ ALSO: Keyamo applauds Flight 100 for bridging skill gaps in…

The House noted that by the Provisions of Sections 14 (2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, (as amended) the primary duty of Government is to provide security and welfare to the people.

It also noted that the primary aim for establishment of orphanage homes is to cater for the orphans and ensure their safety and wellbeing in Nigeria, saying “it was aware of disturbing increase in the establishment of orphanage homes in Nigeria.”

It said it was also aware that the increase in the number of orphans in Nigeria are mainly due to insecurity in nearly, all parts of Nigeria such as kidnapping and bandit attacks.

The House observed that most proprietors of Orphanage Homes often prioritize profit over their core mandate, turning orphanages into baby factories, where teenage girls are accommodated to produce babies which are sold and used for rituals and other heinous activities.

“The House is worried that a good number of Homes are being used for human trafficking whereby, innocent girls are being recruited to embark on illegal migration to foreign countries where they eventually end up either being abused, send into prostitution or house maids.”

The House said it was cognizant of the urgent demand by Government at all levels to formulate stringent conditions for the establishment of Orphanage in the country to prevent and curb the proliferation of Orphanage Homes.

“There is an urgent need, to clamp all unregistered and criminally motivated Orphanage Homes in the country, in fulfilment of Government primary duty of security and welfare of her citizens.”