Kwara to digitise child protection, unveils software for orphanages

The Kwara State Government and stakeholders in child welfare have called for stronger institutional support, digital innovation, and improved care systems for orphaned and vulnerable children across the state.

 

The call was made on Thursday in Ilorin during the inauguration of the Kwara State chapter of the Association of Orphanages and Homes Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON), held alongside a two-day training on the Children First Software and advocacy for foster care.

 

The event brought together government officials, child protection advocates, development partners, and operators of orphanages across the state.

 

Speaking at the programme, the Commissioner for Social Development, Mariam Nnafatima, described the initiative as a significant step toward strengthening care systems for vulnerable children.

 

She said the training, themed “Building Capacity Among Operators for Better Care of Vulnerable Children,” was designed to improve professional standards among caregivers and operators.

 

“The welfare of vulnerable children requires more than goodwill; it demands proper training, improved management skills, adherence to child protection standards, and sustainable support systems that can guarantee quality care and development for every child under institutional care,” she said.

 

Nnafatima noted that the inauguration of the ASOHON state chapter would enhance collaboration, coordination, and knowledge sharing among operators in Kwara.

 

She also highlighted that participants would be trained in modern caregiving practices, emotional and psychological support, child rights protection, and effective administration of orphanages in line with global standards.

 

However, she lamented persistent challenges facing orphanages, including inadequate funding, poor facilities, limited training opportunities, and rising operational costs, calling for increased support from government agencies, corporate organisations, and philanthropists.

 

In her welcome address, the Kwara State Coordinator of ASOHON, Christie Omolehin, said the association, founded in 2008 and formally registered in 2010, was reactivated in the state last year after a period of inactivity.

 

She described the introduction of the Children First Software as a breakthrough in child care management, noting that many orphanages still rely on paper-based records.

 

“This software will help improve record keeping, capture necessary information on each child, and address data gaps in orphanages and homes,” she said.

 

Omolehin added that the system would also support monitoring, tracking, and safeguarding children from abuse and trafficking, while improving efficiency in operations.

 

The ASOHON National President, Rev. Dr. Gabriel Oyediji, said the programme reflects a broader commitment to strengthening child protection systems in Nigeria.

 

He explained that the initiative combines software demonstration, foster care advocacy, and formal inauguration of the state chapter.

 

According to him, the Children First Software, developed by Both Ends Believing, would enhance transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making in child welfare administration.

 

“Children thrive best in loving family environments where they experience belonging, identity, emotional stability, and individual attention,” he said, urging stakeholders to prioritise foster care and family-based solutions.

 

Oyediji also called on government, traditional rulers, and faith-based organisations to support sustainable child protection systems in the state.

 

The Children First Software is expected to serve as a central digital platform for orphanages in Kwara, enabling real-time documentation and tracking of children’s welfare, health, education, and movement.