abeokuta—THE Ogun State government says it has stepped-up measures in improving the welfare of children across the state aimed at creating a better life for its future generation.

The ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, in partnership with SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, had a-3day capacity building and Stakeholders’ engagement programme with the theme: ‘No Child should Grow Up Alone’.

At the end of the event which was held at the IBD International Hotel, Abeokuta from 28 to 30 November, 2017, it called for implementation of Alternative Care for children in the state who have lost or at the risk of losing parental care as well as x-raying the challenges and the steps to improving alternative care measures in Ogun State.

The event was attended by over 98 stakeholders from the Ministry of Women Affairs, the State Judiciary, Police, Immigration, Owners of Care Homes, The Child Protection Network, the Media, among others.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the programme, the ministry noted the gaps in the funding for alternative care of children without adequate parental care.

It also highlighted the relevance of orphanages and children’s homes in the state child care system adding that there is a gap in parenting for many children regardless of care being provided by families of origin or alternative family settings.

In its resolution, the meeting, stressed the need to strengthen collaboration and networking among all stakeholders providing care for children in the state, to improve the quality of care for children.

This is even as it maintained that there is a need to continue to advocate for improved budgeting and funding for the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the Family Courts and other parastatals involved in child care and protection, while charging the stakeholders to endeavor to study the Child Rights Law and other guidelines to understand its provisions and roles as contained therein.