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Fake Orphanages: FCTA Evacuates 19 Children From Famouskids Home

Published

7 years ago

April 12, 2019

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has begun the clampdown on illegal orphanages being operated in the nation’s capital territory to ensure sanity.

The Acting Secretary, Social Development Secretariat (SDS), Hajia Safiya Umar, on Friday evacuated 19 children from Famouskids Orphanage Home, in Tungan Maje area of Zuba, Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja over alleged negligence and other nefarious acts.

Accompanied by the joint team of security personnel they stormed and sealed off the premises of the orphanage, which also runs a school in the area

It was gathered that the Famouskids Orphanage Home had 25 children as inmates, but only 19 of them who are between ages 4 and 17 years were met as at the time of the evaluation exercise.

According to her, the exercise would rid the nation’s capital, especially the outskirts, of human trafficking and other practices that are against child right act.

“There is a lot in the Federal Capital Territory that we have to do; the abuse is becoming too much. How can somebody set up an orphanage and be selling children? The Social Development Secretariat Authority wants to know the proprietor and the person is nowhere to be found

“Our investigations show that more needs to be done in order to stop the proliferation of illegal orphanages, it appears is a very big business going on in the city which the government least expected.

“The government thought they were well-spirited people that are opening orphanages to help children without parents, as a way of helping the government in managing some social vices. Unfortunately, people have used it as a business, using the children as personal business,” she said.

Mrs Umar explained that the FCT Administration will not tolerate the activities of individuals who indulge in bringing children from other states into the federal capital and using them to make money.

She said: “It has become a NAPTIP case because all the children are either from Akwa Ibom or Cross River states; this is outside their jurisdiction because there is jurisdiction of operation of orphanages.

“All children that will be kept in orphanages in Abuja must come from Abuja, anything outside Abuja is trafficking and that won’t be tolerated by FCTA.”

According to her, preliminary reports revealed that most of the children are brought to Abuja from Cross Rivers and Akwa Ibom states, and were left since February 2019 in the care of a 23-year-old, who claimed to be an undergraduate of the University of Abuja.

She added: “The police wrote to SDS to come and evacuate the children, meaning there are a lot of things happening in orphanages. From our investigations here, we have come to realize that there are other linkages with some other orphanages in Abuja.

“Orphanages are not meant to sell children. We gathered reliably from the police that the child might have been sold and she is in Lagos and we are now trying to track her,” she explained.

“It is bothering us that the orphanages in FCT are abusing the law, they are only supposed to keep the children only for three months and then give them out either for adoption or fostering.”

On his part, one Edet Raphael, who claimed to be working with the orphanage as a volunteer, denied knowledge of the missing child from the Home.

He said: “I don’t know anything about the missing child, the first time I heard I was arrested and taken to the police station and they questioned me about the child.

“I told them (the police) I don’t know anything about the missing child. I remember the first girl but I have never met the missing girl.”

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Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles

Published

3 weeks ago

October 10, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.

Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.

What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.

Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.

In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.

Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.

“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”

She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”

The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.

Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”

For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”

Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”

Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.

Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.

Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.

With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.

Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.

“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.

He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.

“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”

Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.

“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”

He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”

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