Ogun Govt warns orphanage homes against giving out babies for adoption
The Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, has warned orphanage homes in the state against putting up children for adoption without informing the government.
Adeleye, who insisted that the orphanages lack the power and authority to give out babies for adoption, cautioned that anyone found in the act would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Speaking to newsmen in her office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the commissioner stressed that any action taken without the approval of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development is void and equivalent to child trafficking and kidnapping.
She disclosed that the state government had revoked licenses of private homes over sharp practices and irregularities, but over 30 reapplied after fulfilling the requirements.
“At some point this year we had to revoke all licenses of private homes because we discovered that there are sharp practices going on, even between some staff in the ministry and some private homes.
“They all had to come back after due diligence being done on them to reapply. No home, no orphanage, no private home has the power or the authority to put a child up for adoption without coming to the Ministry of Women Affairs.
“If you have an adoptable child, then, you have to reach out to the ministry and the process is done here. The Department of Social Welfare is the only one empowered under the law to put up a child for adoption.
“Any other thing done otherwise is null, void and that is tantamount to kidnapping and child trafficking,” she said.
Adeleye explained the process of adoption saying adopting a child in the state is not up to N500,000.
“The entire process for adoption in Ogun State as we speak is not up to N500,000. You get your form, fill it and when we have a child that fits into your description, we would call on you and then, start the legal aspect of it up to the 21-days publication until you get the temporary order and after some days you get the final order.”
The commissioner urged the public to act as their brother’s keeper and report any injustice, gender-based violence, or children spotted wandering the streets to the ministry or the closest police station.
“For some, we are able to reconcile them back with their family. But for those we can’t reconcile back, the government is more than able and ready to take care of them, send them to school, and give them a meaningful future,” she added.
Ogun Govt warns orphanage homes against giving out babies for adoption
