The Coalition of Orphanages and Children Homes in Nigeria on this day celebrated the World Orphans Day where orphans and orphanage homes across the country attended to emphasize and deliberate the interest of orphans and the challenges in the operation of orphanage homes. The event which was anchored upon the theme: “A better world for orphans makes the stray safe” pointed the need for deliberate intervention of private and public stakeholders in the affairs of orphans and orphanage homes as it was only both civil and human.
The World Orphans Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on the 14th November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among this vulnerable children worldwide, and improving orphan’s welfare. It is a day the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
While addressing the participants, the President of COCHIN called for the inclusion of every orphaned children, noting that “Orphans have become Nigerian forgotten Children with Government and Stakeholders showing no interest either in their future, wellbeing or welfare. Orphans can be said to be forgotten Nigerians, who if not supported will stray away and become a burden to the society at large”.
Stressing the reason that informed the formation of COCHIN, he further stated that “We the Orphanage Owners recognise our roles as Nigerians who believe that we are partnering with Government to ensure the wellbeing and welfare of these children and to ensure that these children have a good future. Unfortunately, our Government does not care about these children or do they recognise that the orphanage owners are their partners in progress. In the words of a former director of welfare, who said “Government did not ask you owners to start orphanages you choosed to do so”, by implication this means Government is not concerned about these Children neither do they make provisions for them. For us, Running Orphanages is not a commercial and profit making business; its of no commercial value and economic content, but a huge sacrifice and calling. Our social response and charity enterprise designed to help empower the less privilege, stranded and neglected children who are seen as Articles of Mercy”.
In attendance also were NGOs, distinguished guests representing several government functionaries and private individuals who pledged their commitment to seeing the promotion of the welfare of orphans and according sufficient support to orphange homes.
The event was serenaded with beautiful performances from children of several orphanage homes in attendance, thrilling and educating the audience.
