Edo Government on Friday shut Omosefe Orphanage Home in Benin City over poor facilities and lack of professional care-givers.
Commissioner for Social Development and Gender Issues, Mrs Maria Edeko, gave the order to close the facility during an unscheduled inspection of the orphanage.
She said the orphanage was shut because it was untidy and unfit for human habitation, as the children in the facility were left at the mercy of non-professionals.
She noted that the action was to serve as a deterrent to other orphanages that did not take good care of the orphans in their custody.
According to her, “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 makes the children susceptible to sexual assault and other forms of violence.”
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The Commissioner insisted that no child in the state would be exposed to such danger under the Gov. Godwin Obaseki-administration, as children were the greatest asset of the state.
Edeko said though the children were orphans, they were entitled to full rights as humans, appealing to owners of orphanages to provide proper homes with schools, dormitory, refectory, sports and medical facilities, among others.
She noted, “the orphanage will remain closed till further notice and the children in the home have been transferred to a better shelter for adequate care and protection as they looked malnourished and unkempt.”
