200
By Tracy Moses
The Niger State House of Assembly (NSHA) has called for a thorough audit and reform of orphanage and motherless babies’ homes across the state to prevent their possible use for criminal purposes.
The move follows findings by Pointblank News which reveal that many operators of these facilities attribute the surge in unregulated homes to bureaucratic bottlenecks and alleged insincerity by government officials.
The Assembly’s decision was prompted by a motion sponsored by Hon. Umar Nasir, representing Paikoro Constituency, who raised concerns over the alarming increase in orphanages operating without proper registration or documentation of their proprietors.
Hon. Nasir noted that several motherless babies’ homes have sprung up in different parts of Niger State without the knowledge of the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, posing grave social and security threats.
In view of the growing insecurity affecting child welfare and safety, Hon. Nasir urged the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, in collaboration with security agencies, to immediately embark on a statewide verification exercise and audit to identify and document all orphanage and motherless babies’ homes.
Beyond compiling an official list of authorized facilities, he advocated for public disclosure of unregistered homes, investigating reasons for their non-registration, and assisting genuine operators in meeting regulatory standards without bias.
He warned that unregulated facilities could become breeding grounds for heinous crimes such as child trafficking, kidnapping, and exploitation, stressing that the absence of proper oversight jeopardizes children’s safety and undermines public trust.
Following deliberations, the NSHA passed key resolutions including: mandating the Ministry of Women Affairs to establish a standardized, user-friendly licensing framework for orphanages; reviewing child protection laws to introduce stiffer penalties for operating unlicensed facilities and engaging in child trafficking.
Furthermore, the Assembly instructed the Ministry of Information and Local Government Authorities to intensify public enlightenment campaigns highlighting the dangers of dealing with unauthorized orphanages.
Meanwhile, investigations by Pointblank News indicate that many proprietors initially sought to comply with the law but were frustrated by what they described as the lack of sincerity and transparency among some government officials.
A proprietor of one of the so-called “illegal” orphanages, who spoke to Pointblank News on condition of anonymity, revealed that she had been frustrated by some field officials who demanded bribes before granting her approval, despite her meeting all necessary requirements.
She explained that many applicants, or what authorities label as illegal proprietors of orphanages and motherless babies’ homes, have fulfilled all the stipulated conditions, yet government officials still find flimsy excuses to withhold their registration and approvals.
The woman cited tribal, religious, and social biases, along with stigmatization, as some of the factors fueling the rise of privately owned facilities. According to her, such establishments are often unfairly stereotyped as centers for illicit activities.
“Even after completing all the processes, you would still hear things like, ‘When are you coming to see us?'” she lamented, implying subtle demands for gratification.
She further noted that some women, especially unmarried ladies who seek to adopt children for companionship, are often discouraged by the system. As a result, many turn to private proprietors to fulfill their desires.
“For example,” she continued, “you could apply for registration at the same time as someone from a different tribe, religion, or region, but when approvals are being processed, discrimination creeps in. Even the questions you’re asked would be different. This is unhealthy for the government.”
She recommended that relevant government agencies should initiate roundtable discussions with proprietors to foster more robust engagements, aiming for a better synergy between private operators and the state.