National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has pledged to collaborate with the Voice of Orphans and Diaspora Initiative (VOADI), a non-governmental organisation, to support orphaned children in Nigeria.

The Director General, NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, made the pledge at 2019 Orphans Carnival with the theme: ‘Leave No One Behind – An Orphan at a Time’, organised by VOADI in Abuja on Saturday.

Okah-Donli, who was represented by the agency’s Assistant Director, Public Enlightenment, Mrs Ebele Ulasi, spoke on the topic: “Protection of Orphaned Child against Child Labour and Trafficking Amongst the Orphanages”.

She said that VOADI’s initiative covered and focused on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2, 3, 4 and 15 particularly focusing on orphans and children.

According to her, the initiative will invariably lead to activities that will create equal opportunity and empowerment that will put smiles on the faces of orphaned children and prepare them for future and greatness.

“NAPTIP particularly identifies with programmes such as this that is targeted towards uplifting the less privileged children in the society with the view to reducing vulnerability”.

“The realisation of the SDG’s by 2030 becomes paramount to tackle some of the issues affecting orphaned children, so as to ensure that we leave no one behind, an orphan at a time.”

“NAPTIP has collaborated massively with NGOs, Embassies, donor partners, International Organisations and sister agencies that are in line with Child Protection mandate”.

“Therefore, I call on all actors and stakeholders in the field of human development to ascribe required attention to issues dwelling on the orphaned child and give them a voice to enable them partake favourably in the affairs of the nation and become meaningful members of the society”.

“Doing this, will give them sense of belonging as citizens of the country and make them believe in the vision to push the country to a greater height”.

“And with this, the theme of this programme would have been accomplished,” she said.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Ifeoma Anigbogu, commended the organisers of the event for holding a talent hunt among orphans.

Anigbogu also commended VOADI for providing support to orphans and vulnerable children in education, health, protection, shelter and shelter services.

She added that government had provided windows of opportunity for such intervention through the Universal Basic Education (UBE) ACT and social protection services targeting vulnerable households in the country.

According to her, this is to ensure they do not feel neglected in the society; their individual talent will be showcase, which will go a long way in improving their standard of living.

“I am very optimistic that this gathering will serve as one of the efforts geared towards securing a long lasting solution to the plights of orphans and vulnerable children in Nigeria,” she said.

Also, Prof, Abubakar Rasheed, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), said that children’s health and well-being were largely dependent on the strength of the systems around them.

Rasheed said that the report from the Ministry of Women Affairs had indicated that there were an estimated 17.5 million orphans across the country that are in dire need of protection and support.

He said that the task of protecting and improving the well-being of such children should be a priority for all well-meaning members of the society.

“At this juncture, I must commend VOADI for leading such a strong advocacy for orphan child’s health, well-being, education and protection against child labour, abuse, trafficking etc”.

“Every segment of the society has an important role to play in ensuring that the rights of all children including those of orphans and vulnerable children are better protected”.

“Government alone cannot provide comprehensive care for all orphans and vulnerable children, hence corporate bodies, religious, community based organisations and individuals must forge partnership towards ensuring comprehensive care for orphans,” he said.

Earlier, the President of VOADI, Mr Okokoro Folorunsho, said that its yearly carnival project was aimed at bringing orphans in direct contact with potential sponsors to promote talent hunt for career, health, and educational development sponsorship.

Folorunsho disclosed that the 2019 edition, being the second in the series was targeted at advocating for the inclusiveness and hope of a better life for orphaned and vulnerable children.

The event had about 36 orphanages from FCT in attendance and also featured free medical outreach, award of scholarship to 72 children and a beauty pageant contest. (NAN)