An octogenarian proprietor of a foster home in Delta State, Madam Rita Oki, has accused the government of high handedness in the shutdown of her orphanage. She said the government denied her of an opportunity to defend herself of allegations of ‘unwholesome practices’ it levelled against her, reports Shola O’Neil.


It was all tears and wailing in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State at the weekend when 14 motherless children were removed from a 42-year old foster home. The famous Our Lady of Mercy Orphanage owned by Madam Rita Oki, was shut by agents of the government.

Madam Oki was accused of what the government described as unwholesome activities.

The children are now dispersed. It was yet a spectacle when they bid one another a painful farewell.

Inmates, residents of Enerhen Road where the home is located as well as bystanders broke down in tears when government officials separated 14 children from the octogenarian proprietor.

Although, the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, which ordered the closure of the orphanage, did not explain what “unwholesome activities” meant, it was gathered that it was not unconnected with human trafficking.

The children, ranging from two to 15-year olds at the foster home, resisted the attempts to take them away from the octogenarian, who they called ‘mama’. But they were overpowered and dispersed among other orphanage homes in the area.

Not even the tears of the aged woman nor the cries of the children could sway the officials, who said the decision followed petitions by unnamed persons against the 82-year-old woman.

The Friday action was foretold in a terse statement by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Queen Victoria Ikechukwu. The statement said the decision was arrived at due to Madam Oki’s inability to operate in accordance with the National Policy and Guidance on the Establishment and Monitoring of Child Care Centre.”

The statement, contained in a special announcement on the commissioner’s behalf by an Assistant Director of Information, Dona Obuseh, warned corporate bodies and public spirited individuals to avoid transactions with the orphanage.

Madam Oki told reporters that the allegations against her were unfounded, adding that it was wrong for the government to shut her home without an opportunity to defend herself.

She criticised the action, stressing that she had been caring for unwanted and homeless children since 1968, adding that she was called by God to care for such children.

The sight of the weeping octogenarian led all ‘her’ 14 children to join in the wailing, particularly when she was told that there were allegations against her. Turning to one of them, she asked, “What is the meaning of that? Allegation?”

She accused the government of highhandedness, stressing that it (the government) should be held responsible if she dies of heartbreak resulting from the snatching away of her children. She said she has just one biological son, whose child she had not been able to tend to because of her role in the orphanage.

“I do not have any other activities; my job is taking care of these children because it is what God asked me to do. Now, the children have been taken away from me. Where do I go from here?” Madam Oki wailed as she hugged the last of the children just before they were cramped into a waiting bus for onward transfer to homes in Warri, Asaba and others.

She wondered whose interest the government was serving by taking away the children from her and dispersing them among other homes.

It was gathered that three of the children were taken to Eagle Hands Orphanage in Warri, three to Heart of Delta, another three to St. Anne’s Orphanage, two to King’s Kids Compassion Home, and three to Women Affairs Children Home, among others.

Heartbreaking sobs pervaded the serene scene when the children finally bade farewell to one another and their foster mother of several years.

Mr. Steve Megwai, a Permanent Secretary in the ministry, who led the operation, said the government’s action was informed by reports and petitions from some individuals over unwholesome practices going on in the orphanage.

Megwai said the ministry initiated investigations, which proved that the allegations were correct, adding that the government, because of its interest in children’s welfare, was compelled to shut the home and send the children to others where they could get better treatment.

Nevertheless, he thanked Madam Oki for her dedication and nearly half a decade of rendering services to less privileged children.

The President of the Nigerian Child Welfare Fund, Mr. Joshua Omorere, confirmed the reports of unwholesome deals within the orphanage, but exonerated Madam Oki from the shady deals.

He said because of Madam Oki’s old age and her inability to do some of the things she used to do, some unscrupulous persons were conniving with some workers of the Welfare Section of the Ministry to sell children in the home.

Specifically, Omorere narrated how he reclaimed two children who had earlier being sold from the home.

To Mrs. Omon-Irabor, who visited the home to celebrate her birthday with Madam Oki and the children, the action had political undertone, stressing that it was unusual for the orphanage to suddenly become involved in “unwholesome practices” after 42 years.

She advised the state government to re-open the petition and investigate it properly, adding that if there was anywhere the home was lacking the right thing would be to help the aged woman improve her standard.

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