17.5 MILLION CHILDREN IN NIGERIA ORPHANED YEARLY

Research has shown that not fewer than 17.5 million Nigerian children are orphaned yearly, out of which 7.5 million are caused by the Human Immuno- deficiency Virus/ Human immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). This was made known by Ekiti State Commissioner for Woman Affairs, Mrs. Fola Ricie-Adewusi who further complained that there are no accurate data to deal with this category of children at both the state and federal level. She further revealed that Ekiti state government has made plans to make life comfortable for these orphans. Adewusi said that the State Government is partnering with some Non governmental organisation like Ekiti Development Foundation, Pact Nigeria, Health Management and other Community based organisation to raise N18.8 million to prepare bio-data of such children in the state. According to her, the state Government will pay N11.8 million while the partners will subscribe N7 million. The state is embarking on this project to get to the root of those factors that are responsible for orphanhood and vulnerability in the state. Furthermore, the commissioner said that research assistants have been trained to ask questions and get required information from those that are concerned. She bemoaned the attitude of the victims to give information to government as this as obstruct the Government in punishing offenders. Adewusi said the State is hopeful as they know they are going to record a huge success.