ORPHANS and Vulnerable Children, OVCs, in Nigeria face an uncertain future as the availability of funds for their care and support continues to dwindle. The Association of Orphanages and Homes in Nigeria which recently raised alarm over the implication of lack of government support in operation of private homes and orphanages across the country, warned that failure of government to address the current financial predicament of orphanages over the next decade, could potentially spell doom for many OVCs who are likely to be neglected as a result of lack of placement and rescue opportunities.
The Association President, Dr Gabriel Oyediji said if the problem is not addressed, there would be increase in mortality in existing orphanages for lack of good nutrition and medical care. “Many abandoned babies in gutters and dustbins will also die due to lack of rescue opportunity. Many brilliant children in orphanages will have half education or will be out of school and facilities in homes will be deplorable for lack of funds to put them right.” Oyediji lamented that the little support available was from individual and private organisations but was not regular.
“If you have about 30 children in your homes you will be spending nothing less than N2.5 million a month on their survival because you will have to provide nutritional support, educational support up to tertiary institution, medical support even surgeries when need, clothing and all forms of psychosocial support, building maintenance, staff salaries, transportation among others. “If government does not come in to provide financial grant many operators will be forced to close down and the question is what will happen to all these children?”
In 2008 UNICEF put the global population of orphans at 143 million of which Nigeria has 17.5 million. Today, the number of OVCs in Nigeria, is estimated at 25 million. According to Oyediji, 80 percent of the institutions taking care of orphans in Nigeria are private homes and orphanages while state owned orphanages are very scanty, putting the bulk of the burden of care and psycho-social support on the shoulder of the private homes and orphanages.” Oyediji commended the Embassy of France in Nigeria and Sponsor a Child for Good Home Quality Service Project that empowered their staff in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States to effectively implement home quality management, self-reporting, self auditing and value of good performance reward.
Culled from: www.vanguardngr.com
