Increase in number of orphans in Nigeria alarming, says Foundation

An Ilorin-based Non-Governmental Organisation, Islamic Orphanage Foundation, on Sunday in Ilorin expressed worry over the killings in the country, saying this had increased the number of orphans.

The Chairman of the foundation, Safullahi Allege, who spoke during the annual Orphanage Day of the outfit, noted that the increasing incidents of terror attacks in some parts of the country were increasing the number of orphans in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.

Allge also expressed worry about the safety of those in IDP camps amid the insecurity in some parts of the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the foundation, which was established 13 years ago, currently has 276 orphans under its care.

Allege urged the Federal Government to check the killings in the interest of Nigerian children who remained the worst affected.

“We appeal to the federal and state governments, traditional and spiritual leaders to address the issue of insecurity in the country.

“As we all know, the result of insecurity in the country is the many orphans all over; our IDP centres are also not safe with the incessant attacks on innocent people.

“We want to see the whole scenario as politically motivated and the root of the whole killings must be identified and the culprits brought to book,” he added.

Allege, who presented the report of the foundation for 2018, said the outfit was often faced with the challenge of payment of school fees of orphans in tertiary institutions at the beginning of every academic session.

According to him, the foundation will require N2.5 million to pay the school fees of the orphans in both secondary schools and higher institutions.

The chairman appealed to individuals, government and corporate organisations to come to the aid of the foundation to enable it take good care of the orphans in its care.

“As at today, I wish to let you know that our children are 276 in number out of which 84 of them are in tertiary institutions all over the country.

“Nine of our children are receiving training in different professions out of which four will be empowered today (Sunday),” he said.

He urged government at all levels to “create a window” through which they would engage orphans who graduate from school under the foundation’s care to reduce the rate of unemployment. (NAN)