Lagos to review its adoption process

The Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, has said the state government is considering the review of its adoption processes of babies to meet with current realities and align with global best practices. The commissioner disclosed this at the weekend at a meeting with family court judges, magistrates and other stakeholders in the child development sector.

According to her, the government, after identifying some gaps in its adoption process across the existing family court, decided to meet all relevant stakeholders for the harmonisation of ideas towards best practices in child adoption procedures.

Speaking on the outcome of a recent monitoring visit to some children on international adoption in Europe and America, the commissioner expressed satisfaction with the condition and conduct of the adoptees from the state.

She added that the visit afforded the state government delegates to share knowledge with other caregivers in developed climes, affirming that the state is on the right track in its adoption processes and that the children still believe in Nigeria and are willing to contribute their quota to the development of the country.

Akinbile-Yussuf advocated the discouragement of institutionalizing children in orphanages, saying that children who grow under family setting are at better advantage than those who are left to bond with other children in orphanages where they would be under strict monitoring.

“Orphanage is not the best for child development, it is ideal for children to grow with their parent and under the supervision of family members” she said.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, added that the state remains committed to reducing the bureaucracies associated with adopting a child.