By Robert AKPAN, Senior Investigator Correspondent Lagos/
LAGOS– HIS Geace Children Home and Orphanage located somewhere in Okota, Lagos has been shut down by the state government for allegedly operating in contravention of extant laws. The state government also vows to deal decisively with those who break the laws regarding the operation of orphanages in the state.The shutting down of the Home sources at the Lagos State ministry of Youths and Social Development said, followed a viral video on the activities of the Home termed unacceptable. The Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende said, “No illegal orphanage will be allowed to operate in Lagos State.The State Government will not fold its arms and watch contravention of the laid down rules and regulations meant to set an acceptable standard.”
The Permanent Secretary of ministry, Mrs Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu frowns at the sharp practices among operators of orphanages in the state, saying “Times without number we have had stakeholders meeting with the registered home operators in a bid to ensure that we are on the same page of doing what is acceptable. It is unfortunate that a thing like this can still occur.“All those who have decided to go the way of illegality should desist forthwith because we will come after them with the law. Every home operator in the state must abide by the rules.”His Grace Children Home and Hostel Orphanage at the time of being shut had seven wards, four adults between 18 and 25 years, and three children between 13 and16 years.
The ministry of Youths and Social Development maintained in a statement that, “The orphanage was never registered with the state government at any time.”
