By Rosemary Okoduwa
The Edo State Government has taken a major step toward reforming child protection services with the introduction of the Children First Software (CFS), a digital platform designed to strengthen monitoring, accountability and foster care advocacy across children’s homes in the state.
The initiative, driven by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with Both Ends Believing (BEB), the Association of Orphanages and Home Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON), and SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, was unveiled during a one-day strategic meeting with operators of children’s homes.
The meeting, held at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), brought together government officials, development partners and proprietors of children’s homes to reinforce a shared commitment to safeguarding vulnerable children through improved coordination and innovation.
Delivering the keynote address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Joy Ihensekhien, described the gathering as more than a routine engagement.
She said it signified a renewed resolve to modernise child protection systems, improve accountability and ensure that no vulnerable child falls through systemic gaps.
According to the Commissioner, children remain the most vulnerable members of society, facing threats such as abuse, neglect, exploitation, trafficking and abandonment. She stressed that tackling these challenges requires structured, intentional and sustained collaboration among stakeholders.
“When we collaborate, we reduce duplication of efforts, improve case response time, and ensure holistic support for vulnerable children. We must move from working in silos to working in synergy,” she said.
On digital monitoring, Mrs. Abdallah noted that technology has become indispensable in strengthening child protection frameworks. She explained that adopting a robust digital system would enhance documentation and case tracking, generate real-time data for evidence-based decision-making, improve transparency, and guarantee timely intervention and follow-up.
“Digital monitoring is not merely about technology, it is about building a responsive system that ensures every child’s case is recorded, monitored and resolved appropriately,” she added.
She also underscored the importance of strengthening foster care advocacy by promoting safe, well-regulated and family-based alternatives for children without parental care. This, she said, includes raising public awareness, establishing proper screening and training for foster parents, ensuring consistent monitoring, and providing clear operational guidelines.
In his remarks, the National President of ASOHON, Dr. Gabriel Oyediji, commended the Edo State Government for fostering an enabling environment for progressive reforms in child protection.
He observed that child care practice has evolved significantly over the years, with higher standards and greater expectations for transparency and accountability. According to him, operators of children’s homes are no longer merely caregivers but custodians of the future, accountable to government, society and the children in their care.
While acknowledging the role institutional care plays, particularly during emergencies, Dr. Oyediji maintained that it should serve as a temporary bridge to family-based solutions. He urged home operators to embrace foster care as a natural extension of their mission to secure the long-term stability and well-being of every child.
The Country Manager of BEB, Mr. Silas Gyang, provided a live demonstration of the Children First Software, describing it as a digital tool aligned with national alternative care guidelines.
He explained that the platform enables operators to create comprehensive digital profiles for each child, capturing birth records, family background, health information, special needs, educational history and relevant legal documentation.
Outlining its operational framework, Mr. Gyang said the system follows a five-step process: registration of the child, development of an individualised care plan, investigation and qualification of family options, placement in a suitable family environment, and structured follow-up to ensure safety and well-being.
He noted that the platform enhances accountability, improves case management and ensures that every child remains visible and traceable throughout their care journey.
Also speaking, the Project Manager of SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, Mr. Innocent Madueke, urged participants to translate insights gained from the session into concrete action.
He emphasised adherence to established child protection standards, responsible use of digital tools and sustained collaboration to drive meaningful reforms in alternative care practices.
Participants were also given the opportunity to share experiences and seek clarifications through questions and answers. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials were distributed to support continued advocacy and implementation of improved child protection practices across the state.
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