Falana Advocates Special Budgetary Allocation For Orphanages

Women’s rights advocate, Mrs. Funmi Falana (SAN), has called on government at all levels to allocate special funds for reputable orphanages in their annual budgets. She emphasized that such budgetary provisions will enhance the management and operations of orphanages across the country, ensuring they have the resources needed to care for vulnerable children.

Mrs. Falana, Director of Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA), made the appeal in Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State, during her annual Christmas party with the children of Erelu Angela Adebayo Children’s Home. She highlighted that this event was dedicated to showing love and giving hope to children, reinforcing the idea that the future belongs to them, a message that should be embraced by all well-to-do Nigerians.

During the celebration, Mrs. Falana presented cash gifts, food items, soft drinks, and beverages to the children. She argued that a special allocation for orphanages in the national budget would significantly improve their operations and support what philanthropists already do for these homes. She pointed out that substantial funds are allocated to the National Assembly members, but much smaller provisions are made for orphanages, which she said should be a priority in the government’s spending.

She stressed, “Every money at the disposal of the government is kept in trust for all Nigerians, including the less privileged and vulnerable like these children. Therefore, it should be used to take care of them.”

In addition to her call for budgetary support, Mrs. Falana voiced concerns about the harsh economic conditions in Nigeria, which are affecting the population, particularly women and children. She criticized the government for not doing enough to address the rising costs of living, including the soaring prices of petrol and basic food items, like rice and garri.

She expressed disbelief over how average Nigerians are coping with the escalating prices and warned that poverty was becoming a weapon used against the people. She also linked the recent stampedes in Ibadan, Anambra, and Abuja to this widespread economic hardship, explaining that desperation for money and food led people to act recklessly.

“Those who died in Ibadan were asked to come and collect N5,000, less than 3 American dollars, and because they are hungry, they rushed there. Some parents were even throwing their children across the fence to benefit from the largesse. This is a ripple effect of the economic hardship in our country,” she said.

In her remarks, Mrs. Bolanle Asubiojo, Director of the Child Development Department at Ekiti State Ministry of Women and Social Development, and Mrs. Modupe Ajayi, Matron of the orphanage, thanked Mrs. Falana for her continued support of the orphanage over the past decade. Mrs. Asubiojo praised Mrs. Falana’s efforts, saying, “As you are doing this for the children, you are doing it for God, and God will abundantly reward you with blessings of long life and prosperity.”