FG to revamp orphanages in FCT

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has announced its plans to revamp orphanages in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), elevating them to international standards.

The Mandate Secretary of FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Hon. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, stated this at an event in Abuja held to commemorate the International Orphanage Day at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), The Lord’s Place Parish, in Abuja, entitled; “The Balm in Gilead’.

She said: “In a bid to provide specialised care and support for children in vulnerable situations, particularly those with disabilities, the Secretariat has launched a comprehensive initiative. The project aims to redefine and upscale the services provided by orphanages across the FCT.”

Key components of the initiative include a thorough review of existing orphanages by a ministerial committee, focusing on recertification and adoption processes within the city. A dedicated committee has been tasked with conducting on-site inspections of certified orphanages under the FCT Secretariat.

She said, “The overarching goal of the initiative is to revamp interventions related to child protection and combating violence against children. This includes efforts to align local laws with international standards, particularly those outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The initiative seeks to enhance institutional reforms within the FCT administration, prioritizing sectors such as education, health, nutrition, and socioeconomic development. The aim is to establish a new standard of engagement between government entities and NGOs operating in the realm of child welfare”, she explained.

Through these concerted efforts, the FCT aims to provide a more supportive and nurturing environment for orphaned children, ensuring their rights and well-being are safeguarded effectively.

Funke Olorungbami, who was the convener of the event and the founder of Hospital, Orphanage and Prison Evangelism-HOPE Ministry said the event is also targeted at creating awareness for the need for Nigerians to be more deliberate in their show of love to the orphans in the country especially emotionally.

While commending the caregivers and managers of orphanage homes, she urged the government to show more empathy for the children and promote policies that would help upgrade their standard of living.

“Today we have medical awareness, we have a healing therapy for the children and Bible distribution for them because we believe the word of God does a better cleansing”, she said.

The Pastor of the Lord’s Place Parish, RCCG, Wuse 2, Pastor Ola Omosebi, stressed the need to continually project hope to children in orphanages across the country so they could have a sense of belonging.

“Being in those orphanage homes alone is secluded. These children need exposure and it’s okay for us to have gatherings like this where they will socialise”, he added.

In her remarks, the Director and founder of Facado Orphanage, Mrs Ngozi Judge,, lamented poor funding for the orphanage homes. She urged government and charitable Nigerians to help support the welfare of children in orphanage homes.

“People donate food stuff like rice and beans but that’s not enough to make a meal. When we go to the market, the high cost of things makes it very difficult for us to get enough. We need support in their education, feeding and health,” she added.

FG to revamp orphanages in FCT

ECOWAS Insists Women, Children Need to be Involved in Peace Building in West Africa

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has insisted that women, children and youth must be involved in the search of peace and security in the West African region.

The Director Humanitarian and Social Affairs, ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Sintiki Tarfa-Ugbe, said it would be difficult to address the challenges of insecurity and violence in the region without these set of people because they are mostly affected.

Tarfa-Ugbe spoke in Abuja at the 2024 First Annual meeting of the ECOWAS Women Peace and Security Regional Steering Group with the theme: “Sustaining the momentum towards monitoring and reporting on women, peace, and security agenda using the continental results framework (CRF).”

She decried that for long the issue of security and peace have been left in the hands of other people while the women, children and youth have been silent, insisting that “it is time for their voices to be heard.”

Tarfa-Ugbe said: “For us as ECOWAS Commission, peace and security is an important pillar of development. And we can’t talk about peace and security without women and children and the youth.

“Part of our work as ECOWAS Commission is to continue to promote the inclusivity of women, children and youth in the peace and security and stability agender of the region.

“We are here with representatives of the 15 members state to report to us on what they are doing and what are the challenges and how we can consolidate on addressing the peace and security issues.

“We don’t want the agenda to be dominated by people who are not affected by the issues.

“Women and children are the ones who are affected by the issue, we want their voices to be heard on the table.

She claimed that the various representations shows how important the meeting was.

The Director said: “Today you can see that the Commissioner Human Development and Social Affairs, Prof. Sarr, as the representative of the ECOWAS President is here and also the Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye representing the Nigerian government.

“And you know Nigeria is the Chair of ECOWAS and she has demonstrated that she’s ready to push the agenda but not push the agenda as policy talk but an action talk and we will continue that engagement with the members state and Nigeria moving forwar.

On her part, Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, Commissioner, Human Development and Social Affairs said the meeting is of critical importance as women play fundamental role in ensuring the sustainability of peace processes and resolutions of conflict.

She said that the meeting is meant to help restrategise and plan for the future

Sarr said: “As we gather here, we are reminded of the critical importance of advancing the women, peace and security agenda in our region, with the understanding that peace and security are fundamental pillar for development and prosperity, and women play an indispensable role in ensuring the sustainability of peace processes and resolutions of conflict.

“In this workshop, we aim not only to exchange knowledge and experience but also to strategize and plan for the future. The continental results framework provide us with a roadmap, a guiding light towards achieving our collective goals in advancing the agenda by aligning our efforts with this framework, we can enhance coordination, cooperation and accountability across Ecowas member states in implementing the WPS agenda

“We must recognize that achieving meaningful progress requires concerted action at all levels from grass roots communities to regional and continental institutions as such, today we have the opportunity to dialogue share knowledge and further build our capacity to overcome challenges and capitalize on opportunities in advancing the women peace and security agenda.

“Ladies and gentlemen you will all agree that together we represent a diverse array of backgrounds expertise and perspective, it is this diversity that will enrich our discussion and enable us to explore innovative approach to strategies and address the challenges ahead as we embark on this journey together let us remain mindful of the significance of our task and reaffirm our commitment to promoting the meaningful participation of women in decisions Glenda perspective into all aspects of peace and security initiatives

“The stakes are high but so is our determination let us harness the collective energy and commitment in this room to drive real tangible progress towards a more peaceful inclusive and equitable region for all.”

Nigeria’s Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, on her part, said the present government is ready to work on past policies to improve women situation in the country.

She lamented what women and children are made to face in the country especially in the way their issues are treated by the police, adding that the time has come to change the narrative.

ECOWAS Insists Women, Children Need to be Involved in Peace Building in West Africa

FG Says Massive Fund Needed to Tackle Plethora of Environmental Challenges

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has said that massive fund is needed to tackle the many challenges of the environment in the country.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr Mahmud Kambari made the statement on Monday said at the Technical Session of the 17th meeting of the National Council on Environment

He said: “As you are aware, one of the foremost challenges confronting our sector is the issue of funding.

“Despite the undeniable significance of environmental preservation to human well-being, successive administrations have struggled to allocate resources commensurate with the scale and urgency of environmental challenges.

“It is important, therefore, that we shine a spotlight on the critical issue of financing, with the aim of devising robust funding models and exploring diverse avenues for resource generation to address the sectoral needs effectively.”

Kambari also noted that the theme “Environment Financing:Need to mobilise more financial inflows for generating adequate resources in support of environmental sustainability efforts” is apt.

The Permanent Secretary stressed that the theme resonate with the priorities of the present administration, stating that it is in line with the commitment to harnessing energy and natural
resources for sustainable development, as outlined in the Presidential Priorities in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He advised stakeholders that: “Let us embark on this journey of collaboration and innovation, committed to safeguarding our environment for generations to come.”

FG Says Massive Fund Needed to Tackle Plethora of Environmental Challenges