By Iliya Kure
The new Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Kaduna State, northwest Nigeria, Hafsat Mohammed Baba has lamented the deplorable condition of the State Rehabilitation Centre.
Baba frowned at how the centre was neglected despite presence of children residing there who needed assistance and care from government.
Speaking after paying unscheduled visit to the facility she said, “As you know the rehabilitation centre is under the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. It is my first time of visiting the centre to see things for myself since I assumed duty as the Commissioner.
“I’m not happy with what I saw because these are special children that need to be taken good care of. Some of them are blind, some crippled and the centre lacks borehole close to their hostels.
“So imagine how they cope without water close to them. I saw them holding  jerricans going to fetch
water. Their toilets were not friendly; particularly for blind and crippled, during rainy season what happens.
“Their classes lack chairs, which means, they sit on the floor to receive lessons. The hostels lack security guard.
“This is not ideal, So, we need to write a comprehensive report to the Governor on their challenges because they deserved better,” she said.
The Commissioner said she will continue to visit other agencies under her ministry unannounced so as to acquire first hand information about their activities.
The Centre Manager Jushua Akut, who took the Commissioner round the Centre appealed to the ministry to provide better life to the children in the centre.
According to her, providing a conducive environment will encourage other parents to send their disabled children to the centre, and that will help end street begging in the state.
