Ondo flags rising child abuse, trafficking cases ahead of Children’s Day

— Calls for stronger collaboration to protect children

By Dayo Johnson Akure

The Ondo State government has raised concern over increasing cases of child abuse, trafficking, bullying and other social vices affecting children in the state.

At a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, the Commissioner for Women Affairs Seun Bosede Osamaye called for stronger collaboration to protect children.

Osamaye said issues like neglect, child labour and poor access to education threaten children’s future and need urgent action.

She said that “Persistent challenges such as child abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour, abandonment and poor access to quality education continue to threaten the future of children, urgent intervention is needed.”

She said this year’s theme, “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child,’ is a call to ensure no child is left behind regardless of gender, disability, or background.

Osamaye outlined planned Children’s Day activities including a sitting of the State Children’s Parliament with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, oratory competitions, talent hunts, cultural displays and awareness campaigns.

Other officials at the event echoed the call.

The education Commissioner Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun stressed stronger school security and inclusive education.

The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Ondo State, Olayemi Ibiloye, represented by Deputy Commandant Folasade Olakanse, also described the theme as a call to action for stakeholders to protect children.

Ibiloye expressed concern over rising attacks on schools and stressed the need for collective efforts to safeguard children both in and outside school environments.

He urged governments, religious organisations, communities and families to intensify efforts towards protecting children’s rights and ensuring inclusiveness.

In his goodwill message, the Director-General of the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission, Abiodun Oyeleyin, said the state government remained committed to providing quality healthcare services for women and children.

Oyeleyin disclosed that over 52,000 women and children had benefited from the state’s free healthcare scheme since 2019, while more than 20,000 babies had been delivered under the initiative.

He added that the government would continue to ensure that children with special needs were included in healthcare programmes across the state.

Delivering her lecture, the guest lecturer, Bridget Awosika of the Federal University of Education, stressed the importance of promoting and protecting the rights of every Nigerian child.

Awosika described children as critical stakeholders in national development and urged parents, teachers, caregivers and community leaders to provide proper care, education and support for them.

She also called for greater inclusion of children with disabilities, urging parents not to hide such children but to seek assistance from relevant government agencies and institutions.

Awosika stressed the need for equal opportunities in education and healthcare for all children, regardless of physical or mental challenges, adding that advocacy for children’s rights remains a collective responsibility. End

The post Ondo flags rising child abuse, trafficking cases ahead of Children’s Day appeared first on Vanguard News.