Osun Government Supports 250 Orphans and Vulnerable Children
Osun state Government through the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in collaboration with Osun Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, OSACA has distributed educational and nutritional materials to 250 orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in the state.
The distribution programme which was made possible with the World Bank Assisted project was held at the Moremi Creche of the Ministry with the orphans and vulnerable children selected from across the
state of Osun.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Mrs. Adebimpe Ogunlumade (mni), in her speech stated that, such a programme will save the vulnerable children from family and community abuse, sexual exploitation, insufficient food and lack of proper education or poor care.
Mrs. Ogunlumade emphasized that the support of orphans and vulnerable children in the state will improve the standard of living of these children and help them to have a sense of belonging in the communities where they live and the society at large.
She defined the objective of the distribution as boosting the morale of the children on one hand, as well as easing the burden of the children on the other hand.
The Permanent Secretary went further to appreciate the Civil Society Organizations for their cooperation and support to these children under their care, and used the forum to call on well meaning Nigerians to assist vulnerable and less privileged children, so that they can have equal opportunities like others in the society.
The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of Osun state Action against HIV/Aids, Mr. Gabriel Olatunji in his remarks charged the orphans and vulnerable children not to see themselves in pitiable light but to believe in their destiny and see the best out of what life has to offer them.
Mr. Olatunji also stated that the gesture of OSACA in collaboration with World Bank assisted project is to reckon with the orphans and vulnerable children in the state for them to have confidence in themselves and not be limited by what life have thrown at them, but to forge ahead and be steadfast in their education.
Tope Fakeye, speaking on behalf of the Civil Society Organizations showed his amazement at the volume of materials prepared for distribution to the children.
He appreciated the state government of Osun and Osun Agency for the control of HIV/Aids for the social intervention given to the orphans and vulnerable children in the state, and charged the society not to stigmatize these children but to show them love.
Items distributed included, Rice, Beans, Beverages, Mathematical Sets, Big notes, Biros, School bags and money