The Niger State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development says its remand homes have remained instrumental in reforming children and equipping them with skills for self-reliance. Rachel Twaki, director of social welfare services in the ministry, said this in Minna.

Ms Twaki said that the facilities were designed to rehabilitate children who were beyond parental control or had committed minor offences.

She explained that the homes not only reform such children but also expose them to skill acquisition programmes with a view to enabling them to reintegrate into society as responsible individuals.

According to her, the impact of a remand home on children is for the reformation of character, as children who have been in these homes often emerge with a reformed character.

She also said that remand homes provide children with various skills, including tailoring, making bags, local hand fans, beads, and liquid soap.

”At remand homes here in Niger, aside from remoulding the children to be better versions of themselves, we also train them on tailoring, school, travelling, and souvenir bag making,” she said.

Ms Twaki further disclosed that the Chanchaga Local Government had also provided three teachers to teach children in the Minna remand home on five basic subjects, including English, mathematics, social studies, agriculture, and civic education.

She noted, however, that the homes were faced with challenges such as a lack of equipment and the need for upgrades to provide a decent and conducive environment.

“We want more equipment for the remand homes for different types of skill acquisition; we also solicit help from people who can come and establish different types of skills for them,” she added.

She also called on individuals to visit the remand homes and donate to support the children, stating that they needed support, not condemnation.

Similarly, the Nasarawa State government says it is partnering with the Nigerian Correctional Service to establish a juvenile home in the state.

This is according to Clement Audu, director of research and statistics, Ministry of Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services.

Mr Audu explained that a juvenile correctional home is a type of facility that provides care, rehabilitation, and education to children and adolescents who have committed crimes or were in conflict with the law.

He said that Governor Abdullahi Sule had recently approved the conversion of a facility in the Shabu community in Lafia to be used as a children’s correctional home.

“The state had already given the facility to the Nigerian Correctional Service because the law does not allow us to operate such a facility. Aside from the donation of the facility, the government, through the relevant ministries, is ready to offer logistics support to ensure the smooth running of the reform centre for children under 18 years,” he disclosed.

The director explained that the facility would help children and adolescents overcome behavioural issues, develop positive habits, and become productive members of society.

He added that it would also provide academic and vocational training to equip the children with skills and knowledge necessary for their future, as well as occupy their minds to make them productive.

”It will also ensure the safety and well-being of the children, as well as the community, by providing a secure and supportive environment. Children in the home will be provided with counselling and therapy either individually or in groups to address emotional and behavioural issues,” he also said.

He noted that the welfare of children, women, and other vulnerable groups has been a priority of the present administration since its assumption of office in 2019.

Meanwhile, Saidu Mohammed, a resident of Lafia, has called on the government to expedite action toward establishing the home to avoid mixing underage children and adolescents who commit offences with adults because of its negative consequences. He explained that the facility would offer the children the opportunity to acquire education and learn skills.

“Academic and vocational training will help the children in such homes to develop skills and knowledge that will equip them to stay away from crimes in the future,” he said.

He noted that the ultimate goal of a remand home for children and adolescents was to help them become law-abiding, responsible, and productive members of society, equipped with the skills and support necessary to lead fulfilling lives.