House of Representatives passes for second reading, Federal Capital Territory Orphanage (Registration and Regulatory) Agency Bill 2020.

The House of Representatives has passed for second reading, the Federal Capital Territory Orphanage (Registration and Regulatory) Agency Bill 2020, which seeks to regulate orphanage homes and other charity facilities and operations in the Federal Capital Territory.

Sponsored by a member of the House, Babatunde Adejare, the legislation is titled, ‘A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal Capital Territory Orphanage (Registration and Regulatory) Agency to Regulate the Establishment and Administration of Orphanages and other Related Institutions in the Federal Capital Territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and for Related Matters.’

The deputy chief whip of the House, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, said the Bill when passed would curb the menace of trafficking, rituals and baby factories.

The House had on February 15, 2022, passed for second reading, a similar bill seeking to regulate the activities of orphanage homes in Nigeria, including registration of the centres, operators and children.

Sponsor of the bill, Adisa Owolabi, while leading the debate on the bill, had said the proposed agency will ensure a child’s right standard and needs with a less strenuous procedure to adopt a child legacy.

Seun Fakorede