About 3000 infertile couples have submitted applications to the Ogun State Government seeking to adopt children from its orphanages and homes.
The commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Elizabeth Sonubi, who stated this at the ministerial press briefing commemorating the third anniversary of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration, said out of these applications, the state government had only been able to release 36 abandoned children for adoption.
Giving reasons for this shortfall, Sonubi noted that 80 per cent of the abandoned children at the Stella Obasanjo Children’s home in Abeokuta, were special children who were physically challenged.
“Not all the children are adoptable. Many of them, between 83 to 85 per cent are special children. Some cannot even stand up for life,” she said.
To ensure that the children were not being adopted by questionable characters, she stressed that stringent measures had been put in place.
“As we speak, we have over 3,000 applications seeking adoption and we have been able to find suitable homes for 36 abandoned children by adoption.
“There are requirements you need to fulfil in applying for adoption of these babies. We ask for your birth certificate, your marriage certificate and we must be sure that you have a peaceful home.
“We ensure that child must not suffer, we want to be sure of your health status and you’re not too old to take care of the child.
“The policy, both for the homes and orphanages, has been reviewed because, we don’t want those children to suffer. We require reference letters and evidence of employment. We also need to come and study your home to ensure that you have a peaceful home,” Sonubi said.
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