Kano state government has debunked rumors of alleged molestation of children at Nasarawa children home, Kano.
Speaking to newsmen in her office, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Zahra’u Muhammad Umar explained that some mischief makers concocted the story to tarnish the image of the state government.
She highlighted that, two grown ups from the Home, Ladidi and Saudat were asked to vacate, as they are adults and the law setting up the orphanage stipulates that, only children from one to eighteen years are eligible to be raised.
The Commissioner noted that, the two ladies one a divorcee and the other, married with three kids, had refused to leave the home and were using tactics to blackmail the Commissioner and management of the orphanage, by circulating rumours on molestation, illegal foster care and other means of seeking sympathy from the public.
Dr. Zahra’u stressed that, Kano state government had set up a committee to investigate the allegations, which were found to be false, while the committee recommended the immediate eviction of Ladidi and Saudat, as they were above thirty years and are not fit for orphanage home.
” When I was appointed as the Commissioner, I sympathized with the grown ups and enrolled some of them in higher institutions “.
She appealed to the public to disregard allegations by the unpatriotic Nigerians, saying that, the state government would not relent in it’s efforts of uplifting the standards of living among citizens through policies and programs.
Also speaking, chairman Kano state fostering committee, Alhaji Kabiru Zubairu maintained that, the 9 member committee comprise of representatives from Police, miniystries of Education, Justice, Women Affairs and Ulamas to oversee child fostering.
He hinted that, a written application is sent to the Ministry for Women Affairs, where the Ministry endorse and send the application to the orphanage home, the applicant is invited for interview, before submitting the application to the court, which also screen and gives a court order approving the foster care.
Alhaji Kabiru noted that, after releasing the child, the committee pays an impromptu visit to the foster parents to monitor progress, saying that many children have excelled after adoption.
“Abandonment of children also follow due process with proper documentation for future use”.
In the issue of the two grown ups, who grew up at the orphanage, and are not willing to leave, despite the fact that Ladidi is a staff of Kano state Ministry of Health, while Saudat is a student at Kano school of Health Technology, added that, the committee recommended their eviction, as they were mobilizing others against the home and are spreading rumours aimed at creating disunity and threatening the peace of children at the orphanage home.
Radio Nigeria reports that, Nasarawa Children’s Home was established in the 1960’s, to cater for orphans and vulnerable children, and has over three hundred children currently enrolled and receiving parental care.
KHADIJAH ALIYU
