The Oyo State Government, in collaboration with the Association of Orphanages and Homes Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON), has called for enhanced support systems for caregivers and families. This initiative aims to ensure the safety, protection, and proper development of vulnerable children. The call was made at the 2026 COLLABORATE+ Oyo State Chapter programme, themed “Empowering Caregivers and Strengthening Families,” held at Higher Ground Baptist Church in Ibadan.
Delivering the keynote address, the Director of Child Welfare, Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mr. Gbemileke Ojerinde, emphasized that strengthening caregivers and families is critical to achieving better outcomes for children in alternative care. He stressed that child welfare should not be solely the government's responsibility, but rather a collective effort involving families, communities, faith-based organizations, and civil society groups.
Ojerinde highlighted that poverty, family conflict, neglect, disability, abuse, parental illness, and loss of a parent can contribute to the separation of children from their families. He urged stakeholders to continually assess how to strengthen families so that children can safely remain with or return to their families. The Oyo State Government has taken steps to strengthen the alternative care system, including developing the Oyo State Alternative Care Guidelines.
The guidelines and other interventions aim to strengthen child protection, regulate and monitor care arrangements, improve referral systems, and promote family-based care. Ojerinde urged caregivers and operators of childcare institutions to prioritize the safety, development, emotional well-being, identity, and long-term interests of children. The Southwest Coordinator of ASOHON, Dr. Rosemary Odigbo, welcomed participants to the event and acknowledged the support of the organization’s National President and other stakeholders.
The 2026 COLLABORATE+ programme aims to promote quality, effectiveness, and greater impact in the care of vulnerable children and families. The theme, “Empowering Caregivers and Strengthening Families,” underscores the importance of equipping caregivers and strengthening families to provide better protection and support for children. Guest facilitator Barrister Emilia Oluwaseun Folajuwon-Banjo identified key considerations in the care and protection of children, including safety, development, identity, participation, stability, and non-discrimination.
Folajuwon-Banjo urged caregivers and operators of homes to create environments where children feel safe, heard, and respected while being prepared to thrive. Abiola Adefolayan, the Deputy State Coordinator of ASOHON, emphasized the importance of equipping caregivers with additional knowledge and skills to effectively care for children. She noted that children often arrive at shelters with different forms of trauma, making specialized care and professional therapy essential to their recovery.
Adefolayan appealed to the government to provide greater support for therapeutic services for children in care, citing the high cost of therapy as a burden for families and institutions. She urged families facing difficulties to seek help early and not abandon their children, but instead seek assistance from trusted relatives or appropriate care institutions. Every child deserves a safe and dignified life, regardless of their circumstances.
Key points
- The Oyo State Government and ASOHON are pushing for stronger support systems for caregivers and families to ensure the safety and protection of vulnerable children.
- The 2026 COLLABORATE+ programme aims to promote quality, effectiveness, and greater impact in the care of vulnerable children and families.
- Stakeholders emphasize the importance of equipping caregivers and strengthening families to provide better protection and support for children.
