Orphanage home cries out to FCTA

By Emman Arukwe

The administration of the orphanage and abandoned children’s home in Karu, FCT, other wise known as Abuja Children’s Home, is worried that government’s take over of the home’s only nursery and primary schools for the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme without implementing the promised monthly subvention or any other form of compensation has made things very difficult for the home.

Apart from donations of materials and cash made by spirited individuals, organizations and other corporate organizations, according to a source in the home, "the school had been the bedrock of the home’s source of income for the up-keep of the inmates and maintenance of structures".

Another source of worry to the administration was non redemption of pledges made by some individuals and corporate organizations that earlier visited the home.

While expressing gratitude to those who have assisted the home in giving quality life to the orphans and abandoned children, the administration appealed to the government of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to come to their aid through remittance of the monthly subvention it promised to cushion the effects of the challenges starring them on the face.

Presently, 47 children are being cared for, with 39 workers on hand to take care of the children and structures in the place.

The home has also a multi purpose administrative block, conference room, theatre hall, a mini functional clinic, library and administrative office to maintain.

The Abuja Children Home is one of the pet projects initiated by the wife of the former Minister of Federal Capital Territory and chairperson of FCT Better Life programmes Mrs. Julie Useni in 1991. Maryam Babangida laid the foundation stone of the Home on October 26, 1991 and it commenced operation in July 16, 1993 with three abandoned children transferred from Wuse general hospital.

By 1994 Mrs. Useni took full control of the home and it projects, which was completed and commissioned by General J.T. Useni on September 5, 1996. Since inception, the Home has admitted a total of 214 children. Out of this 120 were posted out, 34 reunited to either with their parents or relatives. One of the oldest inmates of the Home has completed her secondary education, now preparing for her undergraduate studies and would soon be reunite to her parents.

One of them is presently in secondary school while arrangements have been completed to send another three to secondary school soon.