The International
Centre for Women Empowerment and Child Development, a non-governmental organisation, has called on the Federal Government to pay attention to the educational needs of orphans and other vulnerable children.
Its Executive Director, Mrs Bridget Anyafulu, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Asaba recently.
Anyafulu said that giving considerable attention to the educational needs of orphans and vulnerable children would help to reduce poverty and social vices in the society.
She explained that 50 per cent of orphans and other vulnerable children in the society were children who lost their parents through HIV and AIDS.
She reiterated the need for the government to provide free and compulsory education for orphans and other vulnerable children in the country.
Anyafulu added that apart from reducing poverty, it would also ensure peace and security in the country.
She described education as one of the major tools of reducing poverty in the society, especially in the rural communities.
She appealed to the government to ensure that adequate budget was allocated to orphans and other vulnerable children for their education.
Anyafulu also called on philanthropists to support the education of orphans and other vulnerable children financially to give them a sense of belonging.
“The children can be supported with learning materials, food items and a conducive environment,’’ she said.
