The National President of the South-South Youths Initiative (SSYI), Comr. Imeabe Saviour Oscar, has urged governments at all levels to provide better welfare support for orphanage homes. He made the call while marking his birthday with his annual visitation to orphanage homes. Oscar appealed to the Federal Government, South-South states, non-governmental organisations, and corporate bodies to pay greater attention to the plight of children living in such homes.
During his visitation, Oscar interacted with the children and was exposed to the difficult realities confronting many of them. Despite the smiles they displayed, he noted that behind those smiles were untold stories of abandonment, lack, and neglect. Oscar said he had seen their strength, their hope, and their desire to live and become great despite having no mother, no father, and in many cases, no one to call their own.
Oscar called on governments to increase budgetary allocations and monthly subventions to registered orphanage homes. He noted that rising living costs had made it increasingly difficult for many homes to provide basic necessities for the children in their care. The SSYI president urged governments to provide free education for motherless children from primary through tertiary levels, as well as free access to healthcare.
The youth leader also advocated for the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare to strengthen its monitoring mechanisms. This would ensure that orphanage homes operate according to required standards. He added that genuine orphanage operators who are doing noble work with little or no support should be supported.
Oscar further called on governments to establish special welfare and empowerment programmes for children who leave orphanage homes after attaining the age of independence. He said this would prevent them from becoming street youths or tools in the hands of criminals. The youth leader also urged governments to create a special welfare scheme and future empowerment plan for orphans who age out of the homes.
Oscar's annual visitation to orphanage homes has reinforced his belief that leadership should be centred on service to humanity. He assured the children he met during the visitation that they remained valued members of society, urging them to remain hopeful about their future. Oscar said he would continue to support the children with food items, educational materials, and other relief materials within his capacity.
The SSYI president's call for better welfare support and free education for orphans highlights the plight of vulnerable children in Nigeria. His advocacy for governments and organisations to support orphanage homes and provide empowerment programmes for children who age out of the homes is a reminder of the need for collective action to address the challenges faced by these children.
Key points
- Comr. Imeabe Saviour Oscar calls for improved welfare support for orphanage homes
- He advocates for free education and healthcare for motherless children
- Oscar urges governments to establish special welfare programmes for children who leave orphanage homes
