The Niger State House of Assembly has instructed the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to collaborate with relevant security agencies to conduct a comprehensive verification and audit of all orphanages and motherless babies’ homes in the state.
This directive follows a motion sponsored by Umar Nasir (Paikoro), which highlighted the alarming rise in unregistered and unregulated orphanages and motherless babies’ homes operating illegally across Niger State. Nasir pointed out that these unlicensed establishments pose significant threats to child security and public safety.
Nasir emphasized that many of these homes operate outside the purview of government regulatory bodies, failing to adhere to basic child welfare protection standards. He raised concerns that some of these institutions have become breeding grounds for criminal activities such as child trafficking, kidnapping, and exploitation.
In light of these issues, the Niger State House of Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution calling on the Ministry of Women Affairs to establish a standardized and accessible licensing framework for regulating orphanages and motherless babies’ homes across the state.
The lawmakers also called for a review of the existing child protection laws, recommending stiffer penalties for the illegal operation of orphanages and involvement in child trafficking.
In addition to these measures, the House has directed the Ministry of Information and Local Government Authorities to launch public enlightenment campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of patronizing unlicensed homes. These campaigns aim to inform the public about the risks involved and encourage safer alternatives for child welfare services.
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