On Friday, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) held a community forum on children’s rehabilitation, integration, and justice in Kaduna in conjunction with the Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development.
The purpose of the dialogue, according to Hajiya Sa’adatu Aliyu, Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officer, Kaduna North, was to engage the people on issues concerning child welfare and care.
“We plan to identify civil society and community-based organizations that assist orphans with education, feeding, and clothing.”
“Any individual or organization interested in adopting orphans or abandoned children is advised to go through the ministry, police, or traditional heads of communities,” Alitu said.
She stated that many people wanted to help orphans but had no idea how to legally adopt a child, and that the dialogue would address this issue.
Earlier, Alhaji Ibrahim Adamu, Member of Justice for Children and a facilitator at the program, stated that many children were molested and abandoned, which caused problems in society.
Adamu stated that communities must work together with the government and relevant agencies to ensure that such children are integrated into the family system.
Mr Alhassan Umar, the village head of Hayin Banki, stated in his remarks, “‘We have been helping orphans and disabled children in the past, but we now have better enlightenment on how to sustain the help.”
Ms Radiyatu Shehu-Galadima, another participant, thanked the organizers for providing additional information on how to report cases of child abandonment.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), UNICEF supported the program.
The theme of the conference was “Strengthening community structures to support community rehabilitation, reintegration, and justice for children.”
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