Nigeria accounts for 17.5m of 153m orphaned children globally —-SOS

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

SOS Children’s Villages in Nigeria, has revealed that Nigeria accounts for 17.5m of 153m orphaned children globally.

A statement issued on Thursday by Rhoda Daniel Ocheche, Head of Brand and Communication – Nigeria, said the children are living in vulnerable conditions with little or no support for them.

World Development Information Day is commemorated every 24th of October solely to highlight and create awareness on developmental issues and the importance of sustainable progress.

The statement said there is a dare need for attention to the most vulnerable children in Nigeria as they suffer all forms of child abuse due to the poor conditions they find themselves.

The recent flood incidence in Borno state, has indicated that any child can suddenly become vulnerable and exposed to harsh realities.

According to Faiza, a young girl and victim of the flood, “Our living conditions has deteriorated drastically, I am not back home because our house collapsed due to the flooding incident, My family and I are only able to eat once a day. It is very difficult for us to get food since we do not have any source of livelihood or income for now. School has resumed but the flooding destroyed my books and other school materials. I really desire to get back to school; however, we do not have money for the books or transportation fare to school and other expenses.”

This proves that one incident can spiral into untold nightmare for a child from loss of livelihood, to being out of school, exposure to violence and poor health and nutrition, unfortunately many children face these issues as due to situation or the other.

The Fund Development Manager, SOS Children’s Villages in Nigeria, Thelma Ojelabi said “Tackling the issues of Nigeria especially for the children requires a united front with strong and effective collaborations. SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria calls for more attention to the pressing development issues affecting children and communities across the nation. As an organization, we remain steadfast in our mission to provide family-like care, empowerment to caregivers, quality education, and holistic support to vulnerable children. So as we commemorate World Development Information day, remember that it is our critical and collective responsibility to ensure mitigation against incidents that plunge these children into devastating situations and build sustainable development for a brighter future for all children.”

“To foster significant collaborations that produces effective contributions, results and sustainability for the most Vulnerable children, SOS Children’s Villages is launching a campaign called SOS FRIENDS. The SOS Friend initiative is geared towards mobilising stakeholders who will commit to advocating for children and contribute financially to the implementation of strategic programs that attend to the need of children, this is a drive towards Nigerians supporting Nigerians. Being an SOS friend, provides the opportunity to create lasting change for Nigeria’s children, through donations, volunteering, and advocacy, ensuring no child is left behind. This collaboration ensures sustainable solutions that empower communities to raise children in the right environment for their absolute growth.

“Furthermore, all hands must be on deck to ensure that we give the Nigerian child a sense of belonging and a shot at a life filled with intentional efforts for their total well-being, we urge Individuals, corporate organization and the government, to join us as SOS Friends.  The time is now for stronger partnerships and a focused action for the Nigerian child. Together, we can secure a better tomorrow for the children of today.”