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Tag: Child abuse

  • Speak out against domestic violence, Ambode’s wife, Adebule urge women

    LAGOS State Deputy Governor Dr Oluranti Adebule and wife of the governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode  have urged women  to speak out against domestic violence, child abuse, rape and teenage pregnancy, among other vices.

    They spoke at the Lagos Women’s Forum, which held at the Police College, Ikeja. The event was organised to address women’s health and recurring social vices in the society.

    It was supported by Power Oil, a healthy cooking oil as part of its   efforts to intensify the advocacy for a healthy living and other well-being measures, especially among women in  the society.

    Wife of the first civilian governor of the state Alhaja Abimbola Jakande; Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the state Head of Service (HoS) Mrs. Folasade Adesoye were some of the dignitaries at the event.

    With the theme: Woman…your health, your social environment,  Mrs Ambode said sound health is one of life’s greatest blessings, hence the need to encourage and educate women to live in good health for longer life and optimal performance in all aspects of life.

    She said: “Good health is the gateway to everything. To have good health, we need to take care of our body, mind and soul. It is when we have good health that we can run around for business and engage in other activities.”

    While also condemning the spate of social vices in the state, Mrs Ambode urged women to voice out their discontent with domestic violence, child abuse, rape and teenage pregnancy.

    She said: “Importantly, too, we would be examining the rights of women under the law in the face of persistent social problems. When we know our rights, we can speak better and act better to protect ourselves if and when those circumstances arise.”

    She reminded women of their role as mothers and co-ordinators of the family unit, which, according to her, imposed on them the responsibility of bringing up their children in the most decent way for a decent and moral society.

    According to her, good health is a prerequisite for every other thing, including good attention to children and family, business and political activities.

    “It is when we have good health that we can run around for business, take care of our homes, our children or engage in political activities. When we have sound health, we can better attend to all issues and concerns,” she said.

    Mrs Adebule said the forum provided a platform for women to say “enough” to challenges they were facing. “We should no longer be stereotyped into silence, but become vocal advocates for an improved health delivery system and social justice for women in Lagos State and the country,” she said.

    Mrs Adebule said it was unfortunate that 23 years after the Beijing Declaration, women were still facing many health and social problems.

    She urged women to embrace sustainable advocacy and take conscious action of their health and how they are treated by the society at large.

    “We should no longer be stereotyped into silence, but become vocal advocates for improved health delivery system and social justice for women in the state and the country.

    “As critical stakeholders, our role must be focused on investing and increasing access of more girls and women to good health, quality education; ensuring that laws that respect and ensure the rights of women are enforced and help create gender-posture media messages that support women and girls in distress,” she said.

    Power Oil Public Relations Manager, Omotayo Azeez-Abiodun, said the firm was delighted to align with such a laudable health awareness and well-being programme, particularly  women in the society.

    The programme, she said, shared similar values with what the brand stands for  Healthy Living and general well being.

    According to her, because of the multi-functional nature of women, they equally deserve healthy state  to carry out their duties efficiently. “This one of the reasons it is recommended that they take advantage of the free health check up and medical consultation opportunity, which Power Oil health camp offers, Omotayo stated.

    A Director from the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mrs Modupeola Adebambo,  said sexually- abused children have the tendency to be sexually active and be exposed to teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and alcohol addiction, among others.

    She appealed to parents not to abuse their children, urging them to teach them sexual education because of the danger inherent in sexual abuse.

    Office of Public Defender (OPD) Director Olayinka Adeyemi, also urged women to speak out against domestic violence and report such cases to the OPD for legal action.

     

  • NSCDC arrests 60 suspects, convicts 10 in 3 months

    NSCDC arrests 60 suspects, convicts 10 in 3 months

    The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ) Ondo State Command, said it arrested more than 60 suspects and secured the conviction of 10 people for various crimes within 100 days in the state.

    Mr Awili Pedro, the State Commandant of NSCDC, announced this on Friday during the commissioning of the divisional headquarters, ‘B’ Division of NSCDC in Iju, Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

    Reports say  that the building is donated to NSCDC by the Iju Community in Akure North area.

    “Since my assumption of duty 100 days today, the command has held four press briefings and paraded over 60 suspects for various crimes, including vandalism, petroleum products adulteration and diversion.

    “Others are destruction of farm products by herdsmen, robbery, child abuse and trafficking, obtaining money under false pretence (419) and operation of private guard company without valid licence, to mention a few.

    “Within this period, we have recovered vandalised petroleum products, telecommunications and power equipment such as high tension cables, solar batteries and transformer accessories, including vehicles recovered from robbery suspects.

    Read also: NSCDC deploys personnel to filling stations

    “Most of these suspects are now facing trials and about 10 convictions have been secured within three months,” he said.

    Pedro said the command established quick response units of the corps on Ondo road in Akure and Uso and Emure-Ile communities which would be commissioned soon with the approval of the state government.

    He appreciated the state government and leaders of other sister agencies such as Brigade Commander, Director of DSS and Commissioner of Police for their positive interventions towards dislodging kidnapping and terrorist elements in Ondo North Senatorial districts and other parts of the state.

    “We enjoyed this synergy and unity of purpose in these operations that we are also a part of. It is our determination to continue to work in tandem with these sister agencies in making Ondo State a safe haven.

    “It is equally important to stress to this community, the need to collaborate with our personnel posted to work in this facility and indeed in the state.

    “We need timely information to enhance our effective service delivery,” he said.

    In his speech, Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, called on individuals to support government and security agencies in the state to eradicate crime in its 18 local government areas

    Akeredolu, who was represented by Mr Ifedayo Abegunde, Secretary to the State Government ( SSG ), appealed to NSCDC to fulfill its core mandate of protecting and securing both the civil population and government infrastructure and assets.

    “The commissioning of a divisional headquarters ‘B’ Division of NSCDC in Iju will go a long way in facilitating the peace, tranquility and security of the state as a whole and Akure North local government area in particular.

    “Since the entrenchment of peace and security is germane to the prosperity of a people, all hands must truly be on deck in supporting the extension of government security apparatus and services to the ancient town of Iju and its environs.

    “To this end, I deem it appropriate to admonish the ‘B’ division of the NSCDC to hit the ground running, by carrying out the duties effectively.

    NAN

  • Couple held for alleged child abuse

    Couple held for alleged child abuse

    The police yesterday arrested a couple for alleged child abuse. Mr  Chigozie Ezeofor and his wife Isioma were said to have abused their housemaid severally.

    Ezeofor allegedly sexually assaulted the girl, while his wife was said to have poured hot water on her.

    The couple were arrested at their 26, Aunty Toyin Street, Kodeibo Estate, Ijegun Road, Isheri Oshun home.

    The woman’s alleged refusal to treat the girl was said to have angered neighbours, who reported the matter to the police.

    According to the police, the man penetrated the teenager through the anus on several occasions.

    Police spokesman, Chike Oti, a Superintendent (SP),  said the girl suffered in the couple’s hands.

    He said: “Encouraged by the decisive manner in which cases of sexual exploitation and abuse are resolved in the command, many have found their voices against their abusers.

    “The command recorded another case of abuse perpetrated against Miss Blessing Joseph by her employers Mr/Mrs Chigozie Ezeofor.

    “According to Miss Blessing Joseph, she has suffered terribly in the hands of the aforementioned couple who delight in dehumanising her regularly.

    “She told police that her “madam” Isioma, beats her up at the slightest provocation while her husband, Ezeofor, sneaks up to her whenever his wife was away and had made several painful attempts to penetrate her anus.

    “The exploitation came to a halt when Mrs Isioma Ezeofor’s temper got the better part of her and she emptied a kettle of hot water on the poor girl, scalding her skin in the process.

    “A good Nigerian, who wished to remain anonymous, called the police to the matter. Both husband and wife are being interrogated at the Gender Section of the Command. The couple would be charged to court at the end of investigation.”

  • Igbogbo monarch, others to partner Lagos, DSVRT on child abuse

    The Adegboruwa of Igbgbo Kingdom, Ikorodu, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, has said that himself and the Council of Chiefs and Baales will work with the Lagos State government and the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) to stop child abuse, rape and other forms of gender based violence in the community.

    Also, the Chairman of the Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Authority (LCDA), Comrade Sesan Daini,  pledged alongside his executive council that they will partner with government and the team to wage war against the vice in the community.

    The occasion was at an advocacy ‘Walk to end sexual and gender base violence’ and to sensitise the community, students  on the negative effect of the vice, the plight of victims, the role expected of the community in such situations and preventive tips.

    The walk which coincided with the first year reign of  Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali,  took off from Igbe junction, through the major roads and crannies of the community and ended at the palace of the monarch.  It was led by the king and his chiefs.

    Oba Kasali  in his address, promised that the loft programme of the government on child abuse and other gender based violence will be fully enforced in Igbogbo community adding, “nobody living within this community will be abused and neither will any child be abused. We will work with government and ensure that this community is a live-able place to all”.

    He told members of the community that the Lagos State government has zero tolerance for child abuse, defilement and gender based violence.

    He remarked that children are the leaders of today and that their future should be preserved and admonished the people of the community against toying with their welfare.

    He cautioned parents, guardians against child abuse and domestic violence, particularly on women.

    “I have the mandate of God and by virtue of being the king of this community. I will never toy with your welfare. No responsible government will allow the welfare of the children to be trampled upon. In the same way, the vulnerable, handicaps will have a place in this community.

    “No citizen should trample on the right of fellow citizen. We are all equal, not just before government but also as provided for in the constitution”.

    The monarch advised students, particularly young girls to report any form of molestation and abuse against them, promising a quick response from the palace to such reports and complaints.

    A member of the DSVRT and retired director of the state’s Ministry of Health, Mrs Ladapo Alakija while sensitising the community on the negative aspects of child abuse counselled the youth not to allow anyone access to the five holes of their body which she said are their private parts.

    She advised them not take any bath, not to change their pant and cloth or brush their teeth if defiled by any person but to shout and report to the nearest police station, non -governmental organisations, NGOs or the palace of the monarch where she assured them they will get assistance.

    According to her, it is an abuse of the right of the child if they are denied food  and access to hospital by their parents when they are hungry or not in good health.

    The Odofin of Igbogbo Kingdom, Chief Tajudeen Onasanya, also admonished mothers to desist from forcing their children to hawk for them at a time they should be in school.

    Chief Onasanya remarked that children are exposed to all forms of danger including defilement when they are out hawking along the streets.

    He said it was to stop this negative trends that the Oba  Semiudeen Kasali took it upon himself  to lead the advocacy walk to underscore the need to stop child abuse and gender based violence.

    The LCDA chairman, Comrade Sesan  Daini, reminded the people of the community that the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administ-ration has zero tolerance for child abuse and domestic violence.

    Comrade Daini who described  the advocacy as a starting point in the fight against child abuse and gender based violence, promised that the council will build on the  efforts of government through creation of more awareness and re-orientation of the community.

    “We would ensure that we protect our community from anyone who made child abuse and other gender-  based violence his hallmark. Not only will we get the person arrested but also ensure he goes on trial”, he added.

     

  • 57 arrested for child labor, abuse in Niger

    57 arrested for child labor, abuse in Niger

    Fifty Seven people have been arrested for child labor, child abuse, unexplained withdrawal of children from school and criminal abduction of children in Niger state.

    The Legal officer of the Niger state Ministry of Education, Barrister Fatima Mohammed disclosed this to The Nation Thursday.

    According to her, 27 have been charged to court and have been convicted while the remaining 30 cases are still pending.

    Fatima who is the Principal State Counsel in the state Ministry of Justice stated that most of the crimes were perpetuated by the parents of the children disclosing that only two are teachers.

    She said that the crimes were committed in Agaie, Bida and Chanchaga local government area of the state.

    The Legal Counsel stated the determination of the state Ministry of education to ensure that no child in the state is denied education especially with the passage of the Child Rights Act.

    She then disclosed that the Ministry has set up mechanisms to put a stop of withdrawal of children from schools by parents without any cogent reason.

    Read Also: Niger traders screened for breast, cervical cancers

  • Monarch decries child abuse,calls for awareness

    Monarch decries child abuse,calls for awareness

    Oba Hafeez Olakunle Badiru, Elejigbo Langbasa, Badiru Ijaiye 1, Eti Osa East has decried increasing cases of child abuse in the country.

    Speaking at the commencement of the week long ceremony to mark his coronation on Tuesday Oba Badiru said there was need for more awareness on the matter to protect children.

    “Series of cases have been reported to me and I feel it is necessary for a child to know his or her right in the society, “he said.

    According to him, most children don’t know their rights, while their parents don’t know the meaning of Child Abuse.

    “One of the ways to reduce or eradicate it, is to enlighten the people of Lagos State about the right of a child, particularly against Child Abuse.

    They need to be informed, they need to know what it is and what the Lagos State Government has done for them concerning the issue of Child Abuse in the community,” Oba Elejigbo said.

    Representative of the Lagos State Domestic Sexual Violence Team (SDSVT), Mrs Kehinde Iyade urged children and parents to report cases of abuses.

    “Always remember that it is your right to be heard,” she said while noting that the act is usually not committed by strangers but by family members, friends and close associates.

    She assured victims that their cases will be taken up by the state government and necessary actions taken.
    The coronation ceremony which was slated for one week began on Tuesday 7 November 2017 with Child Right Advocacy Day, themed, ‘Curbing the Menace of Child Abuse in The Society’ and would run through till Sunday 12 November 2017 with different activities to its credit.

    Moreover, the Child Right Advocacy Day featured a group of Langbasa youth known as ‘Dynamic Group of Langbasa’. This group was represented by Lady Falana Aminat who educated the people of the community on the topic; ‘Restoring Our Lost Heritage and Culture’.

    Lady Falana emphasised the need for parents to teach their children the cultural values of our society in terms of dressing, food and language and not be sold out to the western culture.

    The various schools in the community were not left out as the children in their different traditional atires and dances displayed to honour the oba Elejigbo. Also, the Chiefs and all the guests were entertained by the cultural display as they responded with cheers.

    The various schools in attendance to honour the Oba Elejigbo were: Hali Aliyu Academy, Vesture of Glory Int.l School, Badora Primary School, Brightlight Nursery and Primary School, Addo Primary School, Bena Comprehensive School, Olomu Primary School, Adamak Academy, Sheback Nursery and Primary and Langbasa Primary School.

    Read Also: Yoruba in good position to conquer the world, says Ooni

  • Be your ward’s best friend, parents advised

    Parents have been advice to establish good relationships with their wards to check child abuse in the society.

    Mrs Jibola Akinyosoye, a parent, spoke as guest speaker at the send off for Primary Six pupils of Cardinal Nursery and Primary School, Isheri.

    She said some parents’ inability to relate effectively with their wards made the children fall victim to child abuse because they did not know what to do.

    She condemned parents, especially mothers’, sentiments on sex education to their wards.

    She said it was ideal to establish a mother/child relationship from their tender age to build trust, confidence and connect with them in an age-appropriate way.

    “Some of us (parents) see our children especially below the age of 18 or 16, too young to discuss certain issues with. Many parents especially mothers make a huge mistake at this stage. Let your child be your friend. Even from a young age, open up conversations with them. Listen to them when they want to talk, do not shut them up; let them tell you want happened in school and at home. In other words let them find companion in you. Don’t wait till they are teenagers, let it start right from the toddler stage.

    “Starting at an early age, usually around age four, many children will ask where they came from, that is, ‘where do babies come from’? Many parents may put off these types of question with the hope that their child would forget about it and the parents feel a sense of relief in not having to answer. In actual fact, the parents are making a mistake in not answering, thus unknowingly creating a communication block”.

    Akinyosoye, who spoke on the theme, “My child my best friend”, explained that the teens and young adults are the hardest for parents to talk  to about sex education. She advised that it was vital to understand that the child at some stage would experience sexual feelings. Therefore, they need to know.

    “Teens find it difficult to talk with their parents about sex because of embarrassment – the fact that their parents may not understand them or the belief that their parents will assume that they are already sexually active. Parents must understand that a lot of information children receive on sex is from friends or the media. For this reason, a parent must know that the lesser the information they give their child, the more the misinformation their child will acquire” she added.

    Another speaker, Prof Simeon Dosunmu of the Faculty of Education, Lagos State University (LASU), advised the graduands not to engage in activities that could terminate their dreams of being successful in life.

    He urged them to be persistent, disciplined and honest, manage their time, acquire knowledge beyond the classroom and love one another to achieve their goals in life.

    The school’s Proprietress, Mrs Nkechi Ohakawa, urged the graduands to put more efforts into their academic pursuits and exhibit the values they acquired from the school.

  • Lagos engages parents on child abuse prevention

    The Lagos State Government has engaged over 300 parents on issues relating to child protection.

    This is in furtherance of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s directives to ensure that Childs’ Rights are upheld and child abuse is eradicated.

    Tagged One-day Parents Teachers Association (PTA) Conference on Child Abuse, it was organised by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT).

    In a statement yesterday, DSVRT Coordinator Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi said the participants from public and private institutions consisted of PTA members FROM over 100 schools in Education District Six.

    She said the parents were engaged in an interactive manner and empowered with information as to what Child Abuse entails, and the ramifications and importance of child’s rights.

    Mrs Vivour-Adeniyi said: “Parents were further informed of the signs to look out for if there is a suspected case of abuse, and steps to take if a child is indeed being abused.

    “The provision of the Lagos State Mandated Reporting Policy was also communicated to participants. Child abuse is indeed criminal and everybody is mandated to report actual or suspected child abuse to the relevant authorities. The utmost importance is the need for parents to be empowered with resources and contact details of relevant organisations to report to if there is an actual or suspected case of Child Abuse.”

    The DSVRT Coordinator said participants received booklets, pamphlets and other materials containing vital information.

  • Commissioner tasks social workers on response to child abuse, violence

    Worried by the rate of violence and abuses of children in some quarters across the state, the Lagos State government on Thursday urged all its social workers across the state to ‘up their ante’ in the discharge of their mediatory role among school children and the entire residents of the state.

    Responding to the feedback at a 3-day training on Child Protection System Strengthening (CPSS) and Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy for social workers in collaboration with United Nation International Children Education Fund (UNICEF), Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Pharm. Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf appealed to social workers from state and local government areas to raise their bar on preventive and response actions.

    She said social workers must begin to see the profession as a calling and as such renew their commitment to the protection of vulnerable people from violence, abuses and supporting them to live independently.

    The Commissioner reassured social workers that the government will not desist from giving them the needed support that would enhance their performances.

    Also speaking at the event, the representative of UNICEF, Mr. D. Dennis, advised social workers to be better listeners instead of speakers at all-time such that individuals would willingly submit to their directives and repose greater confidence in them.

    A facilitator at the training, Mrs. Ronke Adebambo commended the Lagos State Government for prioritizing the social well-being of its publics.

  • Nollywood actresses rise to stop women, child abuse

    Nollywood actresses rise to stop women, child abuse

    A new initiative by Rise Up Magazine, has seen top Nollywood actresses throw their weight behind a national campaign to stop abuse of women and children.
    The host of the campaign Uche Ogbodo, who has been drumming up support of the initiative said that already, the likes of Mercy Johnson-Okojie, Chioma Akpotha, Uche Jombo, Omoni Oboli, Stephanie Linus, Annie Idibia, among others have expressed their support.
    According to the actress, the campaign is to give real value to women and children. “Through this campaign we hope to educate Africans that women and Children are meant to be treated with love and care,” she said.
    The actress also recently gave back to her fans, at the ‘UcheOgbodoItelmobilefansgiveaways’, which had five lucky winners become proud owners of Itel mobile phones.
    Others lined up for the campaign include, Omotola Jalade, Rita Dominic, Lilian Esoro, Tonto Dikeh, Yvonne Okoro, and fitness buff, Kate Henshaw.