Covid-19: Edo shuts orphanage in Benin

Edo State government has shut Omosefe Orphanage Home in Benin over poor facilities and lack of professional care-givers to attend to the children at the facility.

The state’s Commissioner for Social Development and Gender Issues, Mrs. Maria Edeko, yesterday gave the order to close the facility during an unscheduled inspection of the orphanage, in company with the ministry’s permanent secretary and other top officials.

She noted that the orphanage was untidy and unfit for human habitation, stressing that the children in the facility were left at the mercy of non-professionals, while declaring that her action was to serve as a deterrent to other orphanages, whose owners or managers had not been taking good care of the orphans in their custody.

The commissioner said: “We observed the hazardous condition of the home. It was very untidy and unfit for human habitation. The children were left at the mercy of a young girl and the security guard. This predisposes the children to sexual assault and other forms of violence.

“No child in Edo State will be exposed to danger. Children are the greatest asset of the state. Although, the children in the shut facility are orphans, they are entitled to full rights as humans. Owners of orphanages in the state must provide proper homes with schools, dormitory, refectory, sports and medical facilities, among others

“The orphanage will remain closed till further notice. The children in the home have been transferred to a better shelter for adequate care and protection, as they look malnourished and unkempt.”

Edeko also stated that Governor Godwin Obaseki greatly cared about the welfare and safety of all Edo residents.