A group of protesters have allegedly disrupted a dedication and thanksgiving ceremony at the new location of the ‘Light of Hope Orphanage’, Ogun State on Saturday February 22 2014.
The protesters. Credits: Comfort Oseghale
The ceremony was reportedly aborted hurriedly after the Director of the orphanage, Mr. Olatayo Atunde, got wind of plans by some non-governmental organisations to organise a protest march to the new abode.
Atunde had been accused by two underage inmates of the orphanage, of sexual abuse in 2013, which resulted in his subsequent arrest and arraignment before an Ota Magistrate Court, Ogun State, on four counts.
Atunde is said to be on bail presently after a brief stay at the Oba Prison in the Abeokuta area of the state; he was also barred from returning to the orphanage, which was located at the Akute area.
The orphanage, now being run by Atunde’s wife, later accepted the victims back to the orphanage after the state government took them from the custody of a non-governmental organisation – Project Alert on Violence Against Women.
It however came to the notice of some non-governmental organisations that Atunde had relocated the facility from Akute to Lambe and was set to re-assume the directorship of the establishment.
Several corporate organisations and other sponsors of the orphanage allegedly received a text message inviting them to a dedication ceremony of the new location of the orphanage in Ifesowapo Street.
The text message read in part, “Beloved, come rejoice with us as we celebrate God’s faithfulness in thanksgiving and dedication of the new place God appointed us on February 22, 2014 at 11am.”
It was learnt however, that members of many human rights bodies, including Project Alert, Women Arise, Media Concern and Freedom for Abused Children marched to the proposed thanksgiving location and protested the relocation of the orphanage.
Executive Director of Project Alert, Mrs. Josephine Effuah-Chukuwma, reportedly said, “It is only in Nigeria that an orphanage that is being investigated for an alleged crime will be left to operate. I don’t know why the Ogun State Government is encouraging impunity. Residents must be aware that a child sexual abuse center has been opened in their community.”
Executive Director, Women Arise, Mrs. Joe Odumakin, also demanded the immediate closure of the orphanage and called on the Ogun State House of Assembly to look into the issue.
