By MOSES OMOROGIEVA

The SOS Children’s Village, an international, non-governmental, social development organisation, on Sunday night in Lagos, celebrated the 50^th anniversary of its operations in Nigeria.

The landmark was celebrated with the theme “50 Years of Impact: Nurturing Futures, Transforming Lives.”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that SOS Village started operations in Nigeria in 1973.

It has presence in Lagos, Ogun, Plateau, Oyo, Edo, Rivers, Benue, Imo, Kaduna, and Borno States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The National Country Director of the organisation, Mr Ehgosa Erhumwunse, said that in the last five decades, SOS had been committed to making positive impacts in the lives of vulnerable children.

He said these were children who had lost or were on the verge of losing parental care.s

Erhumwunse said the children were offered chances for a brighter future through the programmes.

He said that conservatively, they had reached over 200,000 children and young people, and the number was increasing by the day.

The director said that the organisation had indirectly impacted over a million people in Nigeria in the last 50 years.

“As we celebrate the monumental 50^th anniversary, we look forward with optimism and determination, renewing our pledge to the children and young people we serve, the families we uplift, and the communities we fortify.

“Our ongoing commitment strives to ensure that every child and young person in Nigeria experiences nurturing, respect, and the security they rightfully deserve.

“Our mission, rooted in creating families for those in need, empowering them to shape their destinies and evolve into self-reliant individuals, stands as a testament to the unwavering passion, empathy and commitment propelling us forward,” he said.

The Chairman, Board of the organisation, Mr Michael Ezeanochie, said that one of the key milestones they had attained was their deliberate move towards deinstitutionalisation of their services.

Ezeanochie noted that they recognised early that the institutional care model was not the most conducive environment for the growth and development of children.

“Through deinstitutionalisation, we have ensured that children benefit from an environment that mirrors a real family setup.

“This has allowed them to experience unhindered care, love and support — the cornerstone of a happy and healthy childhood,” he said.

The chairman noted resources to carry out their operations in current and more places, and increasing violence against children and young people in some part of the country as some of their major challenges they needed to address going forward.

He, however, commended the federal government and donor partners for their support, by providing the enabling environment for the organisation to have impacted lives positively.

NAN reports that as part of activities marking the 50^th anniversary, the organisation, on Saturday, had a National Director’s Cup (Football Competition) at Campos Memorial Mini Stadium, Lagos Island, where Edo defeated Plateau.

It had Its gala night on Sunday at Victoria Island, where some children from Isolo SOS village put up a cultural performance and awards were given to some partners, staff of the organisation.

The recipients, who include the Country Director, Erhumwunse, were awarded for their support and selfless service to the organisation in the last 50 years. (NAN)

Update news