The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Child abuse

  • Teenage boy launches campaign against child abuse

    A teenager, Usman Gashash, has launched a campaign against all forms of child abuses through his guitar music in Kaduna State.

    Gashash spoke with the journalist shortly after his performance with little kids at his parent’s house on Sunday in Kaduna.

    The 10-year old boy appealed to the African Union to end child exploitation, early child marriage, kid-soldier, the killing of albinos and violence against children accused of witchcraft in the continent.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gashash has held series of campaign in schools, homes and in his neighbourhood, against all forms of child abuse and tortures, through his musical group.

    The creative and talented young music artiste appealed to the continental body to find means of ending terror activities, religious extremism and insecurity destabilising millions of children.

    The young artist said child abuse was a major problem “in our world today and it is the responsibility of everyone to contribute toward finding lasting solution to it”.

    He expressed worry over the increasing violation of child right throughout the African continent.

    He noted that action must be taken urgently to enable every child have his or her freedom and right as a citizen.

    “Lives of albinos children in Africa is under serious threat as many of them are now been hunted by for ritual purposes.

    “The climate change is also another contributing factor that needs to be considered in saving the lives of such children.

    “We must stand to fight against any kinds of challenges that can cripple the lives of our African albinos,” he said.

    According to him, most of his songs are anchored on child rights, which include access to education, rights to adequate food, shelter, clean water, primary health care, leisure and recreation among others.

    “Many children in Africa have become refugees due to religious conflicts, political crisis, farmers and herdsmen clashes and terrorism.

    “Problem of malnutrition is the biggest challenges those children refugees are facing day-by-day.

    “Child soldier is also on the increase in various regions of Africa due to senseless political and ethnic crisis as well as poverty.

    “These children are forced to join the militia groups in different countries in Africa.”

    He, therefore, appealed to all concerned to join hands fighting for the rights of children and eradicate some obnoxious practices like female genital mutilation, which is rampant in many African countries.

    “I urge all children network organisations worldwide to rise up and speak against all the challenges facing them.

    “As for me, I will keep using music as an instrument of spreading the message of fighting against child right violation.

    “I will also keep on calling for all African children freedom against all forms of humiliation and torture through my songs.”

     

  • Stakeholders vow to eradicate child abuse

    Stakeholders in child care have vowed to eradicate sexual and domestic violence against children and minors in Lagos State. They met at multi-agency training for Safeguarding and Child Protection Responders in Ikeja. The training was in line with the first Executive Order on Safeguarding and Child Protection Programme ratified by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode last December. Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Teams were given the mandate to implement the order.

    Participants at the training included social workers, guidance counselors, school administrators, the police, health workers, among others. A statement by its Coordinator, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said there was the need for synergy to achieve maximum results.

    “The learning objectives of the training were, amongst others,  to improve the understanding of child protection, increase the capacity to prevent abuse, increase awareness on how to create a protective environment, protect children from maltreatment; prevent impairment of children’s health or development; ensure that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care and enable all children have the best outcomes,” she said.

    According to her, the training was useful in ensuring that all responder agencies work together effectively, know what services are available locally for children and families in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. She said participants received all the necessary materials required to performance their duties.

  • Lagos fetes orphans, warns against child abuse

    Lagos fetes orphans, warns against child abuse

    LA G O S State government has reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights of the children in the state and warned child abusers to desist from the act or face the wrath of the law.

    The Honourable Commissioner for the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, (WAPA) Hon Lola Akande re-stated the government’s commitment during the celebration of this year’s World Orphans Day held at Chapel of Light Church, Alausa Ikeja. Hon Akande who was represented by the Director Child Development Mrs Alaba Fadairo, said: “World Ophans Day, is an annual commemoration that facilitates the public awareness on the unfortunate condition of orphans and displaced children in developing countries such as Nigeria.

    “No doubt, Lagos State government has demonstrated in practical terms its commitment to the interest and well being of children and young people in the state because of its abiding faith in their potentials as the leaders of tomorrow and future hope of our nation. It gladdens my heart to state that past administrations in the state and that of His Excellency Mr Akinwumi Ambode is proactive and moving towards zero tolerance\ total reduction of child abuse and instilling the culture of protecting the rights of a child.”

    She added: “The Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation became focused upon the enactment of Child’s Right Law and embarked on various initiatives over the years to make Lagos child abuse free by creating awareness distributing child’s rights law, Yellow cards to offenders, distributing suggestion boxes in various public primary and secondary schools, daily reports through ministry’s help lines, interventions on reported cases, rescue of abused children and payment of school fees and hostel fees for orphans and vulnerable children\abused children.

  • Rights group seeks proactive measures against child abuse

    Rights group seeks proactive measures against child abuse

    A group, Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Centre (HRCRC) has called for strong measures to prevent child abuse and sexual violence.

    The organisation made the call at a two-day workshop it organised in Ebonyi, stressing that tougher action was required to prevent such assaults.

    Stakeholders at the event included community heads, youth and women leaders, the media and civil society organizations (CSOs).

    HRCR advised the state government to create awareness on its Child Rights Law enacted in 2010 with emphasis on sexual abuse and violence.

    The communique noted that communities in the state should develop Bye-laws on sexual abuse and violence against children in line with the existing laws of the state.

    It also state that communities in the state should constitute enforcement committees for the Bye-law on child abuse and violence to include village heads, youth and women leaders, religious leaders, vigilante groups and other law enforcement agencies.

    “In view of all the various submissions made above, participants suggested that the government of Ebonyi should authorise all relevant  health services to provide free services to sexual abuses and violence victims.

    “Government of the state should appoint more medical doctors and health officers to certify rape cases and victims as required by law for prosecution, especially at local government health facilities, since they are closer to grassroots.

    “The Ministry of justice through the directorate of public prosecution (DPP) should expedite action on cases of sexual abuses and violence against children.

    “Considering that the abuses against a child is a crime against the state, humanity and an abuse of right of a child, every person who conceals, aids or abets ,should be punished, “the communiqué stated.

    The document further said that the police should expedite action in the investigation and arraignment on cases of child sexual abuse and violence.

    It also called on the state government to make available and accessible the child rights law to relevant stakeholders and the public.

    It also called on the media to be responsible in its reports and advised the CSOs, to be proactive in their roles

  • Of child abuse and corporal punishment

    SIR: There has been a rise in the cases of mental and physical abuse of children. A father with the connivance of his wife allegedly chained his nine-year old son in a room for more than a month for allegedly stealing meat from the family’s pot of soup. The boy was left to starve without food or water; by the time he was discovered by government officials, he had become extremely weak. Another father allegedly beat his 13 years old son and in the process, ruptured his intestine. There was also another case in which the private part of an 11 year old girl was burnt with hot pressing iron by her mother for coming home late from school, in Ikorodu area of Lagos.

    These are signs of a dysfunctional society where homes are no longer a safe haven of love, protection and care for children.  A situation where people can no longer differentiate between punishment, correction and total disregard for a child’s right.

    There is a need to draw a line of distinction between abuse and corporal punishment as thousands of children are abused daily under the guise of punishment. Some children have lost their lives in the process while some have been maimed for life. Any punishment or correction that threatens the life, health or well-being of a child is an abuse. These forms of punishments are unacceptable, illegal and punishable under the law. Punishment that inflicts pain, emotional and mental torture as well as physical abuse is criminal.

    It is pertinent to observe that there are no strong guidelines or laid down policies, regarding corporal punishment and children, like it is done in developed countries, thus, the flagrant abuse of children in African traditional societies.

    It is also important to note that this form of abuse has become widespread in schools, primary and secondary schools especially. It is, indeed, disheartening, because it is happening in an informed environment where it is believed that, as educationists, they should know better.

    To entrench respect for the rights of the Nigerian child in the consciousness of society and promote the culture of patience and tolerance for children, government should intensify efforts to ensure that policies on Child Rights Protection are implemented while religious institutions should also assist government by building strong foundations for the protection of the rights of children in homes and the society through their programmes and activities.

    In 2003, Nigeria adopted the Child Right Act. But to date, out of 36 states only 16 including Lagos and Abuja have passed the Act. It is, therefore, imperative that Rights Activists in the country step up advocacy for domestication and full implementation of the Child Right Act, across the federation and the Child Right Law which forbids the physical abuse of children should be properly enforced in schools across the nation.

     

    • Temilade Aruya,

    Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

  • NTI to govt: fight ritual killing, child abuse

    The Federal Government has been urged to take up the fight against child abduction for rituals and other violence.

    Director-General/Chief Executive of the National Teachers’ Institute, (NTI) Dr. Aminu Sharehu made the plea during a special Children’s Day programme in commemoration of this year’s Children’s Day celebrations in Kaduna.

    Sharehu said to further curb parents should avoid sending their children/wards on errands at odd hours.

    Represented by the Dean, School of Post graduate Studies Dr. Lanre Maja, the NTI boss said: “Security agents should not be seen aiding or covering those behind such offences, no matter how rich the offenders are in the society. Security agencies must help the media uphold the sacredness of the features of news. In so doing they must ensure that cases of ritual killings are truly and adequately investigated and reported to a logical conclusion.”

    According to him, the theme for this year’s Children’s Day ‘’…is timely’’, saying NTI would continue to sensitise the public even after the event.

    He warned children against resisting gifts from strangers and walking alone to and from school.

    The representative of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), who is also the Communication Officer of UNICEF Kaduna Office, Mallam Rabiu Musa, emphasised the need for governments to take the Child Rights Acts seriously and domesticate it for efficiency and wellbeing of children across board.

    Highpoints of the event are presentations and testimonies from victims of abduction.

  • Lagos ‘handled 4, 035 rape, child abuse cases in one year’

    Lagos ‘handled 4, 035 rape, child abuse cases in one year’

    Lagos State Government handled 4, 035 cases of rape, child abuse, sexual assault and abuse, defilement, divorce, matrimonial issues and child custody and maintenance in the last one year, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Mr Adeniji Kazeem said yesterday.

    It said it would prosecute perpetrators of domestic violence no matter how highly placed they may be.

    Kazeem was briefing reporters at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, on the activities of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) in the last one year. He said the agency handled 192 cases.

    Of the 192 cases, 89 were domestic violence, 62 defilement, 18 rape, six attempted rape, 10 child neglect and seven child abuse. Ninety cases are pending in court.

    Kazeem said the government has zero-tolerance for domestic violence and child abuse and would not relent until they are curbed.

    He said agencies of government, including DSVRT, Office of Public Defender (OPD) and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), have been mandated to ensure that perpetrators of these acts are brought to justice and victims are given succour.

    “As regards provision of shelter for victims, the Ministries of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and Youth and Social Development and their strategic partners have played key roles in ensuring that victims are evacuated to a safer environment of shelter homes.

    “All the victims of sexual assault received medical attention from Mirabel Centre and state hospitals, and so far, 50 of such cases have been charged to court,” he said, adding: “As we all know gender violence, violence against children and all forms of inhuman treatment against the less privileged have been very critical issues for Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. Right from when he was sworn in, he has said that these are issues he would pursue with passion and diligence. He has since then given support to the DSVRT, OPD and related agencies including the police to fight this scourge in other that it should be eliminated.

    “Let me sound a note of warning here that no matter how highly placed you are in the society, if you commit any domestic violence crime, Lagos State will go after you and prosecute you in court.”

     

    He said the DSVRT would on Friday hold a free clinic for victims of domestic violence, rape at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat. The victims can seek counselling with trained professionals via 08137960048.

  • Lagos handles 4,035 rape, child abuse cases in one year

    Lagos handles 4,035 rape, child abuse cases in one year

    The Lagos State Government on Tuesday said in the last one year it handled a total of 4, 035 cases ranging from rape, child abuse, sexual assault, sexual abuse, defilement, divorce, matrimonial issues and child’s custody and maintenance, just as it vowed not to shy away from prosecuting perpetrators of domestic violence crime no matter how highly placed in the society.

    The State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, who disclosed this during a press briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa on the activities of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) in the last one year, said government, through the agency, equally handled a total of 192 cases.

    Out of the 192 cases, Kazeem said the government handled 89 domestic violence cases, 62 defilement cases, 18 rape cases, 6 attempted rape, 10 child neglect and 7 child abuse cases, while 92 cases are presently being heard in court.

    Kazeem said that the State Government under the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has a zero tolerance for issues relating to domestic violence and child abuse and would not relent until the scourge is reduced to the barest minimum.

    He said agencies of government, including DSVRT, Office of Public Defender (OPD) and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), among others, have been mandated to ensure that while perpetrators of the act are brought to justice, victims of domestic violence are given succor towards their rehabilitation.

    “As regards provision of shelter for victims, the Ministries of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and Youth and Social Development as well as strategic partners NGOs have played key roles in ensuring that victims were evacuated to a safer environment of shelter homes.

    “All the victims of sexual assault received medical attention from Mirabel Centre and State Hospitals, and so far, 50 of such cases were charged to court,” he said.

    He said the essence of the press briefing today aside giving account of efforts of the State Government in the one year, it was also a means to send a strong message across that the government would not relent until the scourge is completely stamped out.

    “As we all know the issues of gender violence, violence against children and all forms of inhuman treatment against the less privileged has been a very critical issue for Governor Ambode. Right from when he was sworn in, he had said that this issue was going to be something he would pursue with passion and diligence. He has since then given support to the DSVRT, OPD and all other related agencies including the Police Force to fight this scourge in other that it should be eliminated.

    “Let me sound a note of warning here that no matter how highly placed you are in the society, if you commit any domestic violence crime, Lagos State will go after you and prosecute you in court,” the Attorney General said.

    He assured that the State Government would continue to build on its recent efforts and step up its campaign efforts to put the issue of domestic violence on the front burner.

    To this end, he said the DSVRT would on Friday, June 3, hold a free clinic for victims of domestic violence, rape at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, while they can seek counselling with trained professionals via their hotline on 08137960048.

     

     

  • Children’s day: No hiding place for child traffickers – Ambode

    Children’s day: No hiding place for child traffickers – Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday said that the State Government would no longer tolerate any form of child abuse, domestic violence, child trafficking or violation of any law on the development of children in the state warning that perpetrators would be dealt with in accordance with the provision of the law.

    Governor Ambode who was speaking at the Children’s Day celebration organised by the Lagos  State Ministry of Education at the Police College ground, Ikeja said that in the recent times, there  has been  a noticeable increase in child abuse,  raping, kidnapping , deliberate neglect  and above all, child trafficking   in the country.

    The Governor who said that these acts constitute serious criminal offences warned that his government would not tolerate any of these acts in any part of the state.

    He therefore warned perpetrators of these acts to desist as his government is battle ready to deal decisively with anyone caught in the act. The governor expressed sadness that this criminal act is becoming a norm in our society today rather than being an aberration.

    Governor Ambode who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule disclosed that recent findings from Violence against Children (VAC) survey indicated that children under the age of 18 in Nigeria are being abused in the society, most especially by those that they refer to as their family members.

    The Governor while assuring children that his administration has taken a holistic approach in protecting them against an abuse or unjust treatment, disclosed   that security operatives have been put on the alert to arrest and prosecute anyone that abuses or infringes on their fundamental rights.

    “My beloved children, let me assure you all of our determination and commitment towards ensuring that anyone who engages  in any form of abuse and violence against any child shall be appropriately dealt with under the law,’’ the governor warned

    He reminded them that his administration has demonstrated its zero tolerance for child abuse, kidnapping or violence against children with the prompt approach taken to recover three kidnapped students of Babington Macaulay Seminary, Ikorodu.

    He assured that not only that he would ensure that those  behind the act are  legally dealt with, he has directed all security operatives including the police to provide security around all public schools in the state to forestall a re-occurrence.

    Describing the theme of the year 2016 Children’s Day celebration: Stop Violence Against Children as instructive, the governor stated that his administration is investing heavily in creating a conducive environment for them to develop their talents.

    He said, “A testament of our government commitment to your future and nurturing of your talents is the budgetary provision of the sum of N113.3billion in the year 2016 budget for the education sector’’.

    While congratulating them for the success of the celebration, Ambode urged children to work harder and be focused in their academic pursuits so that government huge investment in their education would not be a waste.

    On her part, wife of the Governor, Mr. Bolanle Ambode said Lagos State has continued to lead from the front in placing priority in the well being of children, however adding that there was still more grounds to cover in several areas.

    Mrs. Ambode who was represented by the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibiyemi Bello, commended the activities of various women and children-interest Non Governmental Organisations, saying that they have done much in the area of promoting public awareness on child rights, as well as challenges facing them.

    “However, I urge them to intensify efforts in the area of campaign against domestic violence and child marriage. These are unacceptable social evils that have simply refused to disappear from our society,” Mrs. Ambode said.

  • Child abuse still thrives

    It’s so painful how we fail to recognise the fact that we are the cause of our own miseries; even though we tend to blame some factors for working against us and as such causing problems in our lives. In spite of the outcryby human right bodies, we still find some heartless, callous and cruel people in our society who have no appreciation for the rights of others. These people are still found in the act of maltreating children, mostly maids or children of other people.

    In this technologically advanced age, we still find people who are victims of the brutality and nasty tinge of the past. Maltreatment is an act of the past, and should remain so. Why on earth should we abuse the dignity and rights of others? What pleasure do we gain from making life worthless for others? It is hard to comprehend why some sadists are fond of this barbaric attitude.

    A girl walked up to me in tears one morning; her eyes were swollen. I inquired to know what was wrong. At first I got no reply. The girl in question kept mumbling things I could not understand. “Calm down, talk to me what’s wrong” I pestered. She told me her madamplaced a heavy curse on her for nothing.She said she had done all she had to do – sweeping, and other chores as instructed, only for her to return from her journey to start cursing her over not taking proper care of her children. She wallowed in her tears while pointing at the children who looked smart in their suave wears, dinning happily. I wondered what sort of care she could have rendered differently from what I had seen. From her account, the madam had done pretty nastier things to her in the past but the poor girl was too emotional to hold the false claim that morning.

    Obviously, her madame just wanted to display her ego because I did not seem to comprehend the reason why one would decide to frustrate a young girl who had stood the gap while her boss was away. I also had this type of people as neighbours while growing up. So their modus operandi is nothing new to me. A particular experience comes easily to mind. They had this hefty boy as houseboy. He would do virtually everything in the house; even tasks naturally designated to ladies. Whenever one sees this chap, he was always humping from one chore to the other. It was shocking to learn that he fled that home in frustration. Knowing how b ad his condition had been, I had no empathy for the family which bore the brunt of his absence. After all, who wants to live to be maltreated like a piece of rag?

    Unfortunately, the dictionary meaning of maltreatment is even small compared to what some get as the share of what life throws at them. Why should this menace continue to grow in our society?We hurt ourselves thinking we are hurting others. Life is the best of judges; it pays everyone according to how they treat their fellow humans. It rewards every seed sown; good or bad.

    A video footage went viral sometimes ago. A housemaid poured her venom on a little baby in her care. She stepped on the baby like someone marching on a carcass. Beyond the public outcry, one fact we could not deny was the cruelty of the human mind; its capacity for evil and destruction.

    How can one be that heartless to hurt a baby who cannot speak for himself? Why the callousness? That I could not provide the answer. Was her action an offshoot of revenge? Perhaps to fight back her boss who must have sullied and insulted her humanity? If the lady was treated well would she take revenge for nothing?

    At the end, my conclusions were simple. Parents who maltreat another people’s children are doing so at the detriment of their own children. If those who stay with us are treated badly, they sometimes have a way of repaying their maltreatment. The lady who took revenge on her boss’s child went too far, and of course there are better ways to resolve issues rather than take the law into one’s hand.

    The act of maltreating others – especially disadvantaged kids from troubled homes – is one thing that should be fought to a standstill. It is a menace that should be given no breathing space in our society. We should provide reporting structures and platforms for victims. They must not be allowed to die away in their silence. The world must rise against this evil. The time is now.