FCTA moves against child trafficking

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said no going back on its fight against child trafficking and other inhuman activities portraying the territory in bad light.

 Acting secretary, FCT Social Development Secretariat, Safiya Umar, stated this when she visited FCT Unity Children’s Home, Gwako under Gwagwalada area council.

She stated that the secretariat was not against individuals setting up orphanages in the capital, but indicated that the administration was concerned with the operations that would be within the confines of the law.

She said the visit was to compare notes with what some individuals were alleging against  Gwako.

“FCTA is committed to the welfare of orphans and the vulnerable, so, the report that says after evacuation of children from Jiwa to Gwako, nothing serious has been done, is false.

She said: “The children under our care are safe. They enjoy education, good feeding and other things that can make them happy. All Nigerian hands should be on deck, wherever you are coming from, which ever state, FCT Unity Children’s Home is a melting pot.

“Children either abandoned by their suspected parents, those picked by security agencies or beggars on the street, every child from 36 states are here. So, nobody should feel restrained or sentimental in helping the unity school/ home,” he said.

She stated that some reports that were fronted by human right lawyers accusing the secretariat of not doing well were misleading.

She Urged spirited individuals to evolve measures that would assist  government in caring for  children, saying FCTA was doing well but needs support from well to do Nigerians.

On her part, the director, gender, Social Development Secretariat, Agnes Hart, submitted that the unity home presently has one hundred and twenty children, comprising boys and girls in separate hostels.

She said:  “The child’s right Act as it is, at the expiration of the three months, the child becomes eligible for fostering. Every child deserves to have a home of his or her own.”

The director said there were enough food items for the children both at the unity home and the secretariat. She conducted journalists round the facilities as well as the food stores.

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