WE WILL NOT COMPROMISE INTEREST OF OUR CHILDREN — LAGOS GOVT
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By: Sefiu Ajape
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its strong commitment to promoting the welfare of children, particularly in matters relating to adoption, guardianship, and fostering.
This was stated by the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, during his welcome address at a Stakeholders Meeting held on Wednesday at Assbifi House.
The meeting brought together judges, magistrates, and social welfare officers to deliberate on child welfare issues in the state.
Mr. Ogunlende, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Pharm (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu said, “The interest of our children is of paramount concern to us in all that we do as a Ministry. In line with the Child’s Rights Law of Lagos State, we place a high premium on what is in their best interest as it relates to adoption, guardianship and fostering. This strict adherence to international best practice accounts for the seemingly cumbersome adoption process, which is meant to serve the interest of both the prospective adopters and the children”.
“We want our children to be in safe, loving and conducive homes where they enjoy a sense of belonging and are properly cared for. This is what Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda, as captured in the Social Inclusion pillar, is all about: ensuring that no child, regardless of their background, is left behind in terms of proper care. By so doing, the much-desired bright future we want for our children can be guaranteed”, he added.
Earlier in her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Pharm (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, represented by the Director, Adoption Services Department, Mrs. Saheed Adebambo, emphasised the importance of placing children in homes, whether through guardianship, fostering or adoption, where their basic needs are catered for, as this would ultimately determine the kind of society the state would have.
“The Ministry wants the best for our children, irrespective of where they find themselves. And to practically demonstrate the level of our commitment to their welfare, we have recently upgraded the Adoption Unit to a full-fledged Department as a bold step towards optimising service delivery to Lagosians as it relates to adoption, guardianship and fostering. In a bid to make the process less cumbersome and seamless for prospective adopters, we have also started automation of the whole process, which will make it possible for applicants to do everything online”, she concluded.
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