In taking care of the children in Government-owned homes in Lagos State, the best interest of the child must be of paramount importance for them to become well brought up and guided.
The Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende gave the charge recently to caregivers during his familiarisation tour to Children Centre, Children Correctional Centre for Girls and Special Correctional Centre for Girls located in Idi Araba, Surulere.
He said, “As caregivers looking after our children, you are doing a very good job which the State Government cannot thank you enough for. You provide a solution to a very big societal problem by what you do and we acknowledge the fact that it’s not easy considering all the challenges you encounter daily in the course of discharging your duties.”
The Permanent Secretary, Pharm (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu equally urged the caregivers to discharge their duties efficiently with love in their hearts for the Ministry to be able to achieve its set goals for the Centres.
Oke-Osanyintolu advised the caregivers to put in place “an exit plan” which would guide them in implementing the ideal timeframe set for all the children in the Centres
According to her, any child admitted into the Homes for Care is given the opportunity of undergoing in-house skill vocational training either in tailoring, shoemaking, hairdressing, bakery, makeover, head tie, or any other vocation in line with their choice and talent that will ultimately make them economically empowered upon leaving the centres.
The Ministry has 15 Centres and Institutions that cater to the needs of children, the elderly as well as the youths in the State.