The Kwara State Government and stakeholders in child welfare have called for stronger institutional support, digital innovation, and improved care systems for orphaned and vulnerable children across the state.

The call was made on Thursday in Ilorin, the state capital, as operators of orphanages and homes gathered for the inauguration of the Kwara State chapter of the Association of Orphanages and Homes Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON).

The event, held alongside a two-day training seminar on Children First Software and advocacy for foster care, brought together government officials, child protection advocates, development partners, and operators of orphanages across the state.

Speaking at the programme, the Kwara State Commissioner for Social Development, Mariam Nnafatima, described the gathering as a major step towards strengthening care systems for vulnerable children.

She said the training programme, themed "Building Capacity Among Operators for Better Care of Vulnerable Children," was designed to improve professional standards among caregivers and operators.

"The welfare of vulnerable children requires more than goodwill; it demands proper training, improved management skills, adherence to child protection standards, and sustainable support systems that can guarantee quality care and development for every child under institutional care," she said.

The commissioner noted that the inauguration of the state chapter of ASOHON would create a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and stronger coordination among operators across Kwara.

"Through the planned training sessions, participants will gain valuable insights into modern caregiving practices, emotional and psychological support, child rights protection, and effective administration of orphanages and homes in line with global best practices," she added.

Mariam lamented the numerous challenges confronting orphanages and homes, including inadequate funding, poor facilities, limited training opportunities, and rising operational costs.

"Limited financial resources, inadequate facilities, insufficient training opportunities, and rising operational costs continue to affect the quality of care available to vulnerable children," she said.

"These realities make it difficult for many homes to meet the growing needs of the children under their care," she said.

She appealed to government agencies, corporate organisations, philanthropists, and development partners to provide financial assistance for the initiative.

"Your generous contributions will assist in funding the inauguration activities, training programmes, logistics, educational materials, and other capacity-building efforts designed to improve the standard of child care services in Kwara State.

"By supporting this initiative, you are contributing to the protection, growth, and future of vulnerable children who deserve love, dignity, education and hope," the commissioner stated.

In her welcome address, the Kwara State Coordinator of ASOHON, Christie Omolehin, traced the history of the association to 2008 when a small group of orphanage owners in Lagos came together to address challenges affecting children under their care.

She explained that the association was formally registered in 2010 and inaugurated nationally in 2015, adding that Kwara State reconnected with the national body last year after years of inactivity.

Omolehin said the introduction of Children First Software represented a major breakthrough in child care administration and record management.

She stated, "As we are seated here today, the best records each of us is likely to have on any child in our orphanages or homes will be grossly inadequate and paper-based.

"When information is needed on a child, the records may not be easily accessible because everything is paper-based."

She stressed the need for orphanages to embrace technology in line with global trends in digital documentation and child protection.

She said, "This software will definitely help us to improve on our record keeping, capture the necessary information on a child and address data gaps on orphans and vulnerable children.

"It will help in monitoring and tracking a child's welfare and development from the moment he or she enters an orphanage or home. It will also help to check children's abuses and trafficking, and make our work easier."

Omolehin also commended the leadership of the national body and development partners for visiting Kwara despite growing security concerns in parts of the state.

"I celebrate the faith and courage of our National President, Rev. Dr. Gabriel Oyediji, his deputy, Mrs. Caroline Silver-Oyaide, and the Both Ends Believing representative, Mr. Ayomide Aduragbemi, for daring to come to Kwara State at this time despite the bad news of kidnappings and terrorist activities happening in our state," she said.

Delivering his address, the National President of ASOHON, Gabriel Oyediji, said the programme reflected a collective commitment to strengthening child protection systems in Nigeria.

He explained that the event combined three major objectives: the demonstration of Children First Software developed by Both Ends Believing, advocacy for foster care, and the formal inauguration of the Kwara State chapter of ASOHON.

Oyediji described the Children First Software as an innovative digital solution capable of improving transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making in child welfare administration.

"The introduction of this technology demonstrates what is possible when innovation is intentionally aligned with child welfare priorities," he said. "Children First Software offers a practical tool for improving transparency, efficiency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making in child care and protection systems."

The ASOHON president said the organisation remained committed to promoting family-based care models, especially foster care, across the country.

"While institutional care remains necessary in some situations, we must continue to work toward systems that prioritise family reintegration, kinship care, foster care, and permanent family solutions wherever possible," he said.

"Global evidence consistently affirms that children thrive best in loving family environments where they experience belonging, identity, emotional stability, and individualized attention."

He called on the Kwara State Government, traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, and citizens to support the establishment of a sustainable foster care system in the state.

Oyediji also congratulated the newly inaugurated Kwara chapter, charging members to uphold professionalism, integrity, and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities.

"You are called to champion excellence, uphold integrity, strengthen collaboration with government and partners, and remain unwavering advocates for the best interests of every vulnerable child," he said.

He further praised Omolehin for her persistence and leadership in ensuring the success of the programme.

"Her persistence, determination, and unconquerable spirit have been the driver of the success of this great event," he added.

The ASOHON president also commended the Commissioner for Social Development for her support towards child welfare initiatives in the state.

"The beauty of life is not in the aesthetic of the habitats alone but more of the stability of the vulnerable inhabitants. Therefore, let us be determined to move Kwara State vulnerable children from vulnerability to stability," Oyediji said.

The Children First Software would serve as a centralised digital platform for orphanages and child care homes across Kwara State, enabling operators and relevant government agencies to securely document, monitor, and track the welfare, health, education and movement of vulnerable children in real time.