NGO, Plateau Pledge to Strengthen Child Protection System Via Technology, Capacity Building

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Both Ends Believing (BEB), an international organisation has reiterated its support to continue to partner with the Plateau State government and other organisations to strengthen child protection systems through technology, capacity building, and policy support.

Country Director of (BEB), Silas Gyang, made this known while speaking at the Plateau State Data Review and Debrief meeting in Jos.

He said, “Our work is centred on ensuring that every child grows up in a safe, loving family.

“Our vision is to ensure that every child grows in a safe and loving family. We emphasise “safe” and “loving” because those two are not automatically the same.

“We want to be sure that the children we support are growing in environments that truly protect them.”

It would be recalled that the Plateau State government about a year ago signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Both Ends Believing (BEB), and Association of Orphanages and Home Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON), to create digital identity of children in orphanages in the state.

Gyang said, “Across the country, Plateau State was the first state to sign a memorandum with us.

“We are a global non-profit organization established sometime in 2010 and came to Nigeria in 2022, in November. “Our first entry point was through the partnership with the Association of Orphanage and Home Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON). It has been a very meaningful partnership, and what we achieved with ASOHON opened the doors for more access to government.”

He also added that, “We are now operating in almost all the states in Nigeria except a few, Taraba, Kogi, Jigawa, Kebbi, and Sokoto.

“Across Nigeria, we have been able to cover 231 orphanages, what we globally call childcare institutions.”

According to the Country Director, “We have captured 7,140 children and documented their information across the country that gives an average of 22 children per orphanage. We know there are more, but this is the data we have so far.”

He also added that, “I want to emphasise that the Children First Software is a web-based platform developed by our foundation and given to the government free of charge.”

Also speaking at the occasion, the Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Caroline Dafur, said “Today’s gathering defines our shared commitment to advancing child protection and strengthening the data systems that support this mandate across Plateau State.”

Represented by Rebecca Shaseet, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, she added that the “Memorandum of Understanding is not just a document; it is a promise to ensure that every vulnerable child in Plateau State is seen, documented, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive.”

She commended Both Ends Believing (BEB) for their unwavering technical support and for donating computers, printers, and working alongside the state government as they modernise their systems. “We owe our communities, our constituencies, and the values for which we work, nothing less.”

Speaking earlier, Mrs. Sandra Chikan, the National Northern Vice President of Association of Orphanages and Homes Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON), said data is one of the main keys to unlocking care systems and care reforms for children.

“Without it, many of us may just be running around in circles. But with it, and with the presentations, we’ll see the gaps, we’ll see the work that has been done, and we’ll see the potential each one of us has to impact even more for our children.