Lagos
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Saudatu Usman Bungudu has revealed that there are about seven million orphans in Nigeria, with the loss of parents through HIV/AIDS accounting for more than 25 percent of the orphans.
She expressed fears that with the estimated 10-year leg between infection and death, the numbers of orphans would continue to remain high even with declining HIV prevalence rates and said this called for concerted action to address the attendant challenges.
Bungudu made the disclosure in Calabar when she paid a courtesy visit to the Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke while on an advocacy visit to the State.
She said her visit was to acquaint, solicit and mobilize support for the successful execution of the National Plan of Action on Orphans and Vulnerable Children (NPA on OVC), adding that success of the program in Cross River would be very relevant to the overall success of the national exercise in view of its strategic location.
She called on agencies, organizations, NGOs, media and individuals to lend their support and give publicity to enhance its success.
The Minister appealed that children issues, particularly that of orphans and vulnerable children should be given priority in the State.
This, she said, can be done with adequate corresponding budgetary allocation to the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development as the lead coordinator in the State and its other key partners in the implementation of the Plan of Action, namely, Ministries of Education, Health and Information.
She also called for the inauguration of the State Steering Committee, State Stakeholders Forum and State Technical Working Group for implementation of the National Plan of Action on Orphans and Vulnerable Children (NPA on OVC).
Governor Liyel Imoke in his response called for a close synergy between the Federal and State Governments to fight issues relating to situation of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Nigeria, stressing that the Child Rights Act should be fast tracked by the Federal Government and data bases provided to enable States implement it.
Imoke, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Efiok Cobham lamented that it is because OVC lacks Social Welfare Scheme in Government policy that prompted the State to create Ministry of Social Development headed by a woman, saying that issues which touch on OVC should not be handled by State alone but Federal Government should also be involved while commending NGOs in their efforts to create awareness on matters affecting women and children.
He said the State government was also worried about the incidence of child trafficking in the country, adding that the trend would continue to grow until the economy of rural areas is improved. He attributed the scourge of child trafficking to poverty and said the State Government has initiated series of programs geared towards empowering women to improve their skills and income.
Imoke disclosed that it is in line with this policy that Government initiated the Rural Development Agency and Rural Electrification Agency amongst others with the view of addressing the needs of rural women and children adding that it is also in order to reduce mortality rate in the State that Government came out with a free medical services for children under five years and pregnant women.
