By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Kwara State Government has closed an unapproved orphanage in Ilorin and taken 30 children found at the facility into government care.
Officials of the state Ministry of Social Development carried out the operation on Thursday at the Iranlowo Oluwa Orphanage and Children’s Home.
The children, made up of boys and girls between the ages of two and 15, have since been moved to a government-approved shelter.
The state government said the children would receive medical attention, food, education and psychosocial support at the shelter while officials determine their individual circumstances.
The intervention was disclosed in a statement issued by the Kwara State Ministry of Social Development and signed by its Press Secretary, Rasheedat Shodunnke.
The ministry said the action formed part of measures to protect children living in care institutions from neglect, abuse and other risks.
The Commissioner for Social Development, Mariam Nnfatima Imam, said authorities would first establish the needs and backgrounds of the rescued children before deciding on their long-term care.
She said the ministry would conduct family tracing and seek to reunite the children with their relatives where such reunification was considered safe and appropriate.
“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,” Imam said.
According to the commissioner, children whose return to their families is found to be unsafe will remain in government-approved care facilities.
She explained that the placement process would follow the required documentation and assessment procedures. Further assessments would also be carried out to ensure that each child continues to receive appropriate care.
Imam said the discovery had also led the ministry to intensify its monitoring of orphanages and other child-care institutions across Kwara State.
She directed operators of orphanages and children’s homes to secure government approval before operating.
The commissioner also instructed approved facilities to display the inscription, “Approved by the Kwara State Government,” prominently on their signposts.
She said the measure would help residents identify facilities that have received official authorisation from those operating without approval.
The Director of Social Work in the ministry, Hamzat Abdulfatah, who took part in the rescue operation, stressed the importance of cooperation among government agencies and other 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 would continue to establish the identities and family backgrounds of the children and determine suitable long-term arrangements for their care.
