Follow Us on Google
By Job Osazuwa and Chukwuma Umeorah
Worried by the high rate of child abuse across states of the country, Child Protection Network (CPN), yesterday, sought collaborations from individuals and relevant stakeholders to eradicate the crime in Alimosho Local Government Area Lagos State and Nigeria in general.
CPN coordinator in Alimosho, Rev. Gabriel Oyediji, who spoke at a one-day programme in Lagos to create awareness on child abuse and prevention with the theme: “Strengthening Stakeholders Pattern on Child Abuse Case Reporting and Management”, said Alimosho LGA had the most reported cases of child abuse. He said the organisation was poised to rise to the defence of innocent children in the area with the belief that powerless children need powerful voices so that they could be heard whenever they cry out.
He said CPN was a charitable organisation working with other like minds with a zeal to identify, report and manage different magnitudes of child abuses and other forms of molestations.
Oyediji said the organisation was necessitated by the increase in the rate of child abuse and outcry of victims and relatives for justice.
Lamenting that the network has been self-funding, he said for more positive impact to be made on the abused and to prevent more from happening, there was need for funding by government, international agencies and corporate bodies.
He said CPN is involved in massive awareness campaigns in schools, churches, mosques and markets on stemming child abuse.
He said the aim is for the general public to be aware of the ‘Child Right Law’ that protects victims, particularly children against several forms of abuses.
Delivering a lecture, state coordinator of CPN and executive coordinator, Bimbo Odukoya Foundation, Aderonke Oyelakin, urged all stakeholders, including the survivors, community leaders, family, the police, justice system, NGOs and other relevant agencies to always live up to their responsibilities in order to stop the rise of child abuse in the country.
