The Association for Orphan and Vulnerable Children NGOs in Nigeria (AONN), has advocated for the return of the children Amusement Park in Kogi state to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development as the coordinating ministry for children in the State.
In a Press Conference addressed by Mrs Hellen Henry, AONN State Coordinator, as part of the 2023 children’s day celebrations in the state, said the family Support School at Anebo Quarters should also be returned to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development Kogi State as the school is a support system to poor households.
AONN equally want the state government to support the ministry of women Affairs and social development in celebrating the annual children day, saying that this will provide avenue for the children to interact and share ideas.
They stressed the need for the restoration of the state rehabilitation centre to Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development as it is an asset and resources that helps the ministry to function well in coordinating children, women and social related affairs in Kogi State.
They noted that AONN member organizations has contributed immensely to the welfare of Kogi children through payment of school fees of indigent vulnerable children and provision of nutritional support to vulnerable children.
Other supports given by the organization are; provision of food items, clothing and donation of cash to flood victims in St. Luke IDP camp during the flood case in October,2022.
In addition, the group also facilitated and coordinated skill acquisition programmes, school WASH sensitization programme, referral support service for survival child Abuse cases, alternate dispute resolution and referral of legal survives for survival on Gender Base Violence, (GBV), organized and Coordinated Reproductive Health Education to children of reproductive age among others.
“AONN Kogi state chapter is using this medium to appreciate the state government for providing enabling environment for AONN to carry out the above mentioned activities.
“We also commend the media for their partnership and collaboration in all our programmes.
“At this juncture, we want to felicitate with all the children in Kogi State and Nigeria at large and wish them a happy children’s day as we also commend the unending and tireless efforts of the Kogi State government, we sincerely appreciate the national secretariat of AONN for their professional support to the State Chapters.
Association for Orphan and Vulnerable Children NGOs in Nigeria (AONN) is a network of NGOs working with children with presence in 36 state of the country and the National office in FCT Abuja.
AONN Kogi State Chapter is saddled with the responsibility of coordinating, mobilizing and harnessing the efforts of NGOs working with children to ensure effective synergy and collaboration with Kogi State Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development and other relevant Ministries and Agencies.
AONN Kogi State has over 50 legally registered organizations as member of the Network.In the past AONN Kogi State has been Coordinating organizations that has been working on Care & Support for Children Living with HIV(CLHIV), prevent and carry out interventions on child abuse cases, provision of monthly Nutritional support for Vulnerable children and re- integration of trafficked children.