Actionaid, EU flag off N205m orphanage home

The ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) and the European Union (EU) have flagged off the construction of over N200m worth of houses in Gwagwalada. The project, known as Vine Heritage Home (VHH ) and commissioned at the weekend, was part of the intervention to accommodate 157 children rescued from infanticide in the 57 communities where the practice […]

The ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) and the European Union (EU) have flagged off the construction of over N200m worth of houses in Gwagwalada.

The project, known as Vine Heritage Home (VHH ) and commissioned at the weekend, was part of the intervention to accommodate 157 children rescued from infanticide in the 57 communities where the practice is rife in the FCT.

The EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Ketil Karlsen, led the ground-breaking at VHH’s new site located in Chikuku community of Gwagwalada Area Council.

According to the EU envoy and ActionAid Country Director, Ene Obi, in a joint statement, the project will be completed in 32 weeks with funding to gulp €495, 000 (N204, 964, 000), part of which will be used to build dormitories and classrooms for the ostracized children.

She said: “The project is funded both by the EU and AAN and we have been working closely with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), traditional rulers, area councils, and the communities.”

She also explained that, “Beyond providing shelter, the project aims to raise awareness in the FCT on infanticide practices, especially among practising communities and to establish mechanisms to safeguard unborn babies and infants who are vulnerable.”