Mrs. Mary Ayaewa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare in Akwa Ibom has refuted claims that female children in the state government run Divine Orphanage Home were raped.
She denied the claims in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Uyo.
The permanent secretary said that it was an attempt by some disgruntled managers of private orphanage homes in whose care the children used to be, until they were requisitioned by the state government.
"Most of these private homes used the children to make much money from international donors without actually taking care of the children properly. It was for that reason that the state government decided to remove the children from their custody. We are not surprised at this development as we already know that there is no truth in the allegations they are making," she said.
According to Ayaewa, the children are in good hands with adequate security being provided by mobile policemen.
She disclosed that some of the children had been admitted to nearby day and boarding schools, while some others had commenced vocational studies.
On the allegations that the children were kept out of school by the ministry, she said, "the children needed to settle down since they were now in a new environment. That was even during the holiday period."
Ayaewa maintained that the state government was committed to the welfare of the orphans.
"The wife of the governor, Mrs. Ekaette Akpabio visited the home recently and ordered that additional cloths should be provided for them.
According to the permanent secretary, the state government has initiated free and compulsory education to enable the children to discover their potential.
NAN reports that 471 abandoned children, accused of witchcraft, were evacuated by the women affairs and social welfare ministry from private children's homes to a government owned orphange at the Uyo Security Village
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