In its avowed commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of the Nigerian Child, the Federal Government has said that it will tighten the laid down procedures for the adoption of children with a view to tackling issues of molestation which traumatizes kids from their early ages and hinder their psychological and physical growth and development.
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye stated this today in her office in Abuja when a delegation from the US Embassy, led by its Country Consular Coordinator for Nigeria, Daniela Zadrozny paid her a courtesy call.
She stated that under the guise of adoption, several Nigerian Children have faced all forms of inhumane treatment and molestation from their guardians without adequate attention being paid to them.
The Minister informed that the Ministry under her watch, was determined to ensure that children are liberated from these traumatic experiences through the deployment of necessary administrative machinery within the confines of the law.
According to her, before you can adopt a child in Nigeria now, I must meet with you and the child personally. The Ministry will also take a photocopy of your passport so that after a year, if we do not hear from you to know what is going on with the child and can also not find you, we will raise the flag.
She added that the Ministry is also working towards the inclusion of newspaper publication of pictures of the child going for adoption as part of the pre-requisites in order to deter miscreants who kidnap kids and sell for adoption, noting that the Ministry was ready and willing to collaborate with relevant agencies of government and other organisations to ensure the realization of this mandate.
Barrister Kennedy-Ohanenye explained that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration recognises the fact that children are the pride and future of any nation and as such, government was totally committed to working out appropriate procedures that will ensure the closure of all gaps which provide avenue for maltreatment or abuses against them.
The Minister assured that the Ministry was desirous to go the extra mile in authenticating applications for the adoption of children henceforth so as to give them the adequate protection and safety, they require.
She commended the United States Government through her Embassy for its support to the policy initiatives of the present Administration, especially those that impact on the lives of women, children and the vulnerable in the society.
Earlier, the US Country Consular Coordinator for Nigeria, Daniela Zadrozny, stated that they were in the Ministry to seek possible areas of collaboration, particularly in relation to a smoother adoption process for Nigerian-Americans.
She commended the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration’s policy frameworks on the growth and sustainability of women and children and assured of the Embassy’s support towards its realization.
Signed
Mrs Grace Njoku
Head, Press and Public Relations
