Firm creates online platform for security checks on maids, nannies

Advices against paying caregivers in cash

To reduce the rate of kidnapping and ensure child safety at home, a Nigerian background checks and due diligence company, Iverify.ng has launched an online platform for verification of maids, nannies and other caregivers.

Speaking at child security and due diligence webinar event with the theme: “My Child, My Future, the place of due diligence in securing our Children”,  a programme organised to enlighten parents on general security in their homes, the founder of Iverify.ng, Zita Agwunobi, said the security and protection of children start from the home.

According to her, child security begins with the family values the child is exposed to, which eventually translates to the personal values as they grow from their formative stage.

She stated that parents engaging an independent verification company like Iverify.ng to provide due diligence checks for their housemaids and caregivers would go a long way to reduce the risk of accommodating criminals and people with questionable character in their homes.

She said: “Documentation is key to getting a good caregiver as we open a folder for your prospective employee, which is the personality involved. Documenting who the caregiver is is very important to parents.

“In Interaction, we take time to ask unrelated questions, and have a conversational chat with the person who will eventually spend quality time with the children when hired. We don’t forget to look out for key indicators at this point based on your family values, which you will also verify from the employee; body language is relevant and valid at this point.

At the event, other experts in child care and digital learning, such as The Baby Lounge Chief Executive Officer, Itoro Ugorji, who spoke on ‘Checklists for Intentional Parenting and Caregiving in a Digital Age’ and Co-founder 9ija kids, Titi Adewusi, who spoke on ‘Keeping your child safe on the internet’, commended the organisers for enlightening parents on child security.

They also advised parents to guide and monitor the activities of their wards online.