By Marian Okpe, Abuja
The Association For Orphans And Vulnerable Children NGOs In Nigeria (AONN) held its 17the Annual General Scientific Meeting in Abuja, with the Theme: Improving the Quality of VC Programming By NGOs in Nigeria.
AONN is a non governmental organization that supports Orphans and Vulnerable children in Nigeria, it is a care giver establishment that it goal is to ensure quality of life for all the aforementioned people, and improving their well being.
The two days event which was held on the 10th of August 2023 at the Green Mind Hotel, Utako Abuja was a huge success as members organizations from the thirty six states of the federation turned out immensely to grace the loadable event.
The high point of the event was the presentation of various categories of Awards to well meaning Nigerians whom have contributed in various ways to the social economic well being of Orphans, Women and vulnerable children in Nigeria, including the National President of National Council for Women Society (NCWS), Hajiya Lami Adamulo.
Speaking with journalist at the occasion, was the Immediate passed National Coordinator of AONN, founder and currently Board Secretary of AONN, Dr. Grace Dafiel, she said ” we started AONN with just 55 organizations, but today we have verified three thousand organizations across the thirty six states of Nigeria, including FCT. And we have been able to served over one million children in the country via various projects”
Stating emphatically, Dr Dafiel said the journey has not been easy, but Passion and the support of Nigerians with Federal Ministry the of Women Affairs made it possible for us to move on and wax stronger.
Dr. Grace appreciated God for the successful 5th Scientific and the 17th Annual general meeting, particularly the fact that they are not indebted to anyone because of the occasion, ” we really appreciate state partners and members organization who contributed one way or the other to ensure we are not put to shame, this shows the level of commitment of the states and members organization”
In five to ten years from now, we wish to see AONN as a very strong force to be reckoned with, we are also taking AONN to the global stage to speak holistically for the global vulnerable children. We have taken decision to taking the advocacy to the African Union, this is to ensure that vulnerable children gets the right response our immediate and international stage, as this will certainly reduce the impact of dangers in their lives.
In like manner, the National Coordinator AONN, Mr. Marcus Williams while shedding light on the progress of AONN, said AONN is made up off Networks of NGOs of about four hundred and forty four members organizations across the thirty six states of Nigeria including FCT. Drawn from women, children as well as people living with
disabilities.
“I came on board in 2021, will be two years by November, and by the grace of God, we have achieved a lot, I came in when we were one hundred and twenty thousand members, but today, we have over four hundred members organizations. AONN has become a formidable allies with the government of Nigeria, particularly the Ministry of Women Affairs and other agencies of government.
Mr. Williams said, development partners, as well as foreign partner such as UN and UNICEF etc are looking at possible ways of engagement, especially the global push which is localization, and AONN stands as a localization entity within Nigeria.
Five to ten years from now, “I see AONN metamorphosed into a very strong developing partner in the country that could be able to access international grants so that we can deplore such grants to members organizations and ensure that the fund gets to the needed beneficiaries”. AONN will become an Allie with the government such that we will begin to consider engagements in term of policy formulation such that the plight of vulnerable children will decreases”
Finally, Mr. Williams advised AONN and members organizations to adhered strictly to international best practices and do what is expected of them.