The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Children

  • UNICEF, Rivers colaborate to protect women, children in Niger Delta

    United Nation Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is set to partner Rivers State government to protect the rights of children and women in the Niger Delta.

    Mr. Wilbroad Ngambi, UNICEF Chief of Field office led other members of the organisation    on a courtesy visit to Rivers State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning Isaac Kamalu in his office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

    Ngambi  informed the commissioner of the creation of UNICEF Port Harcourt office that would coordinate the organisation’s operations in four states of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta. He  said the port Harcourt would help them to serve the people better.

    He  said the idea of making Rivers State the zonal office was to help protect  the rights of women and children in the region.

    He noted that the partnership with Rivers State government is a sign of commitment to strengthen the existing collaboration, adding that part of the effort is the opening up  of a field office to cover four Niger Delta States within the region.

    He thanked the Ministry of Budget and Economic planning for the effective coordination of the programmes and collaboration between UNICEF and Rivers State government.

    Ngambi said: “With a deep sense of humanity and poise  to work with your Ministry toward delivering result for children and women in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, South-South geopolitical zone, I found it highly important to perform my first official function to ensure a good synergy.

    “On behalf of UNICEF, I extend our hand of partnership to record positive exploits for children and women in the region. UNICEF has been supporting Rivers State in programme such as health and nutrition for child survival and development, education, water and sanitation.”

    Kamalu assured UNICEF’s team of Rivers State government corporation and assistance in all area it’s may  want the government to render assistance.

    He said Governor  Nyesom Wike was delighted when he heard that UNICEF has opened their regional office in Port Harcourt. He also announced that the governor has ordered the release of counterpart fund for better cooperation.

  • Bank extends autism children’s programme

    Bank extends autism children’s programme

    Guaranty Trust Bank plc, has extended its yearly One-on-One consultation for children with autism and other developmental difficulties to Ogun State.

    The five-day free programme, with the theme: “Managing autism: The next generation, consideration and resources”, began on Monday April 25 at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, in Abeokuta, the state capital.

    The exercise features specialists from Nigeria and the United States (US) offering consulting services ranging from the assessment of children for autism and other developmental challenges to the counselling of their parents.

    Other specialised consultation services include speech therapy, physical therapy, behaviour analysis, audiology, clinical psychology, developmental psychiatry, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy.

    The First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs Olufunso Amosun through the Uplift Foundation, the state Ministries of Health and Education, Science and Technology, Blazing Trails International, Texas, United States, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Patricks Speech and Language Centre and the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro Ogun State, all graced the occasion.

    The yearly consultation started in 2009 as part of the GTBank Orange Ribbon Initiative, an advocacy programme designed to support children with developmental disabilities in Nigeria, especially Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

    Over the years, the programme has attended to 100s of children with varying degrees of developmental disabilities and provided crucial support to their parents.

    Its commencement in Ogun State has been well-received by the public and gained the support of governmental institutions and non-governmental organisations.

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank Mr Segun Agbaje said: “We are succeeding in our goal of raising awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder and increasing the expert assistance available to people living with this condition.

    He continued: “As a bank that is committed to driving community development, our goal is to help achieve a society where children achieve the fullness of their potential irrespective of developmental challenges.”

  • Police love for abandoned children

    Police love for abandoned children

    Abia State Commissioner of Police Joshak Habila’s gifts lift the spirits of administrators and inmates of an abandoned children’s home in Aba, Abia State, reports SUNNY NWANKWO

    History was made on Monday in Aba, Abia State’s commercial heart. The state Commissioner of Police Joshak Habila visited a facility in the city where the Reverend Dr. Joy Igweze has been looking after abandoned children for 10 years. He came with a huge of daily needs and lots of love.

    Since it was founded, the Peace Sisters Outreach Ministry International has been running on government’s handouts and public charity. No commissioner of police in the state had ever visited the facility. Habila’s is therefore monumental, more so when it was accompanied with just what the home needed: love and supplies.

    Inmates of the home were mostly picked up from the streets where they were abandoned by their parents, especially mothers. Some of those mothers were themselves pushed out of their matrimonial homes with their children. The streets therefore naturally became their first and sometimes only shelter, until Dr Igweze showed up.

    Mrs Igweze caters for about 110 inmates whose age ranges from one to over 20 years.

    There is something also quite remarkable about the facility. It has not been linked to any baby factory or child rituals or such other gory tales rampant in the country especially in the Southeast. Its record has been clean.

    It was also an emotional event for the inmates. Unable to hide their joy, they sang melodiously to welcome and entertain their guests even as they requested for mattresses and other needs. They also prayed for the Commissioner of Police and his team, the state and the country at large.

    Items donated by the CP included 10 cartons of noodles, a carton of tomato puree, three bags of rice, one carton of seasoning, cartons of beverages, jerry cans of groundnut oil, one carton of toilet tissue, salt, bread, milk and soap, among others.

    The state police chief commended the founder of the home and staff for their concern in giving shelter to the homeless and  hope to the hopeless.

    He said his visit relieved him of the burden he had been bearing for a long period of time.

    Habila stated that his coming to the home was to urge the wealthy to use what God gave them to better the lives of others especially the downtrodden within their vicinity.

    He used the opportunity to appeal to good-spirited Abians and others to come to the aid of the inmates of Peace Sisters International Ministry.

    He also warned those operating illegal maternity and motherless babies homes in the state to look for legitimate jobs or face the consequence.

    He also stressed that the police were on the alert to not only track down operators of such homes, but to also bring them justice.

    He also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, the press and civil society groups in the country to help spread the message against people abandoning their child/children on the street, stating that if the community policing which the Inspector General of the Police, IGP Solomon Arase preaches will be imbibed by all, crime and criminality will be limited, if not eradicated in the society.

    In her response, the proprietress of the abandoned children home, Dr. Rev. Mrs. Joy Igweze thanked the State Police Chief for finding time to come and visit her home and to also identify with the children in the home.

    Calling for a stiffer penalty to those who gave birth and abandon their child or children on the street, Igweze lamented high level of abandoned and street children in the society by their parents and called for love among people in the society.

    She said, “People who drop their child or children on the street and abandon them will definitely get their punishment, unless they repent and turn a new leaf.”

    She added that they were happy to receive Habila at the home as the first Commissioner of Police in the state to visit them.

    One of the inmates who spoke on behalf others, Master Samuel corroborated the position of their proprietress and solicited for more assistance from the federal, state and local government authorities including public spirited individuals and corporate organizations.

    Samuel said that the Police chief’s visit will ever remain historic to the home and the lives of the inmates.

    On the commissioner of Police entourage were the DPOs of Osisioma and Eziama Police Divisions; Usman and Austin, the PPRO of the state command, Ezekiel Onyeke Udeviotu, State chairman and Osisioma Police Division chairman of Police Community Relation Committee, Ambassador Emma Nwosu and Chief Amanna A. Nwaogu who also used the opportunity provided for by the visit to make some donations to the home.

  • Heritage Bank declares May ‘Children Banking Month’

    Heritage Bank declares May ‘Children Banking Month’

    Heritage Bank has declared this month as Children Banking Month as part of its children financial literacy initiative to commemorate the youngsters on May 27.

    Aptly themed:Taking The Early Lead, the Heritage Children Banking Month, which activities will directly impact a minimum of 320 primary and secondary schools nationwide this year, is in recognition of the pivotal role children play as the leaders of tomorrow.

    The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Director, IfieSekibo, who made the declaration, said: “We are dedicating this month to our young customers with the aim of encouraging them through their parents to imbibe the culture of saving.”

    Sekibo stated that “aligned with the dedication is our financial literacy campaign, geared towards equipping our future leaders with the requisite knowledge to make them better leaders in keeping with the bank’s vision of creating, preserving and transferring wealth across generations”

    Each experience centre, a nomenclature of the bank for its branches, is expected to select two primary or secondary schools within its area of operation and interface with them.

  • Children’s literature effective for nation building, says writer

    Renowned writer, Mrs Mabel Segun, has urged the government and stakeholders in education to take children’s literature seriously as it can be effective means of encouraging cultural diversity early in life.

    Mrs Segun made this appeal at the 2016 First Award Winners Lecture of the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) held at the Main auditorium of the University of Lagos, Akoka.

    Though present, the 86-year-old did not read the lecture because of her age.  She was assisted by her daughter, Miss Omowunmi Segun.

    Speaking on the topic: “Towards nation building: The importance of children’s literature”, Mrs Segun, said children’s literature books helps to train and sustain cultural values in the children which is key to nation building.

    “It will show them the importance of having a cultural identity as a form of reference. Nation Building has many facets which includes building institutions, creating a common sense of purpose as well as building values to sustain the collective community”, Mrs Segun said.

    She argued that the study of historical children literature can help to teach children about their roots, heritage as well as imbibe in them values so that they can learn to appreciate their backgrounds.

    She said: “The study of these books provide an avenue for giving young people a panoramic view of all that happened to mankind in the past.”

    She, however, pleaded with authorities concerned to make these books accessible and affordable, explaining that it was the only way they could be effective for nation building.

    “Governments should invest in school libraries, Public libraries, local government libraries and club libraries. They should not be placed in no go areas like the principal’s residence; they should be placed in accessible locations,” she said.

  • False alarm: Police avert killing of six persons

    False alarm: Police avert killing of six persons

    Six innocent people, including two children, escaped been shot as robbers by a police officer at Ogudu Ori-Oke, Ogudu, Lagos on Saturday following a false alarm by a woman.
    Police Inspector, Christian Onawona, attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command reportedly hesitated in shooting occupants of a car said to have been snatched when he reasoned they didn’t look like robbers.
    A statement by the police gave an account of how the shooting was averted.
    ” A woman, Lauretta Ehon, suddenly ran to inform RRS operatives patrolling the axis at about 17:30 hrs over the weekend, that some armed robbers just snatched her Toyota Camry car 2012. Immediately, the police officer followed her to give the supposed fleeing robbers a chase.
    “On the trail of the robbers, there was a hectic traffic but in order to catch up with the thieves, the officer alighted from his official vehicle and mounted a motor bike to chase the acclaimed reported robbers. However, the occupants of the car, which was being chased never had an inkling that they were on the verge of being mistook for robbery and that the police was trailing them.
    “In order to prevent the robbers from taking the vehicle with registration number, EP 932 KRD away, the officer shot into air. Upon hearing the gunshot fired by the officer, the driver of the vehicle applied the brake instantly. Then, the police officer cautiously approached the supposedly stolen vehicle only to discover that the occupants were three female, one male and two children. At this point, the police officer got to know that the complainant raised a false alarm.
    “The occupants of the vehicle were, Sekinat Sanni, Wasiu Balogun, Bisola Balogun and Rukayat Joseph. The little children were, Sameer Balogun and Motunrayo Joseph of one and two year old respectively, all family going on social outing.
    “The story later turned out to be faraway from the truth. What really transpired between the woman that raised false alarm and the owner of the 2012 Camry car was a mere business transaction which occurred about six years ago.
    “The husband to the woman who raised false alarm and the owner of the car transacted a business which had to do with clearing of Tokunbo car from oversea. Unfortunately, the vehicle went into demurrage after the client (Mr Ehon) paid the clearing agent, (Mr Balogun). And between the duo, they have settled the matter amicably for both of them worked in the same company in Apapa.
    “But to his paranoid wife, she had promised that she will collect the money from the clearing agent whenever she sets eyes on him. On the day of incident, the woman saw him and started threatening to snuff life out of him. But unknowingly to the woman, the man was not inside the car when she raised the false alarm but his family members were the occupants of the car.”
    In her reaction, one of the lucky occupants of the car, Bisola Balogun, who was visibly elated said that she was full of praises to the officer who pursued them for not have misused his firearm.
    “In fact, I am still at shock. If it were to be another police officer, it is possible that he might shoot our car and anything could have happened. We thank God and appreciate the officer for applying uncommon wisdom in handling the matter”, she added.
    According to the Police PPRO, Dolapo Badmos, the police officer showed experience and bravery in handling the issue, if not for him, the entire event could have turned against the police.
    The woman has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, for prosecution.

  • Adamawa Police rescue three abducted children

    Adamawa Police rescue three abducted children

    The Adamawa Police Command, has confirmed the rescue of three children abducted by a gang of kidnappers in the state.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Othman Abubakar, who made the disclosure at a press briefing on Thursday in Yola, said that the three suspects were killed.

    He said that the operation was carried out by the police with the support of the famous crime fighter Alhaji Ali Kwara.

    The police spokesman said that eight AK 47 rifles, one RPG, 477 rounds of ammunitions and some amount of local and foriegn currencies were recovered from the suspects.

    During the briefing, N500, 000 collected as ransom by the kidnappers were handed over to the father of the three abducted children, Alhaji Grema Degereji.

    Degereji thanked the police and Kwara for rescuing his children and recovering the ransom money.

    Speaking to reporters, Kwara decried the activities of some local vigilante members, who he accused of involving in criminal activities.

    He said that his investigation had revealed that many vigilante members were “repentant robbers,” who hide under the cover of the voluntary organisation to engage in criminal activities such as kidnappings and cattle rustling.

    “The person behind this kidnap is a so called repentant armed robber who hide under the cover of being a vigilante member,” Kwara said.

     

  • How to protect children from sexual abuse

    DEAR Harriet, I am a father of three teenage daughters and a son of 21 years. The stories of abduction and sexual abuse which are rampant in our society today are really giving me cause for worry.  The recent case of Ese Oruru, a 14-year old girl, is an example.  Please, what advice can you give to parents on how to protect their children from abuse and how can parents help an abused child?

    Name withheld, Lagos.

     

    Thanks for your text message. It will interest you to know that you are not alone on this issue of abduction, violation or sexual abuse against children. Most of the messages received were same as yours.

    In today’s world, raising up children is not a piece of cake, nothing can prepare you for being a parent, it is an aspect of life that is most challenging. It tests your nerves, your emotion, your strength and at times your sanity. You start with the different stages of child development, just when you think you have got one phase of childhood cracked, they grow a bit older and it is a whole new game altogether.

    Some parents at this point get confused, not knowing how to relate with their children, some shy away from their responsibilities which make it difficult for them to understand their children, while some parents are in closer relationship with their children.

    As a result, they find it much easier to impact the necessary family values that they need to grow up as responsible adults which will be of great benefit to the society at large. Some people believe that parenting skills should come naturally, but sometimes we all need a bit of help. I suppose that is why parenting skills are something we learn, not something we are born with.

    Protecting children from abusers is to understand as a parent the forms of sexual abuse (touching and non-touching) and that abusers often do not use physical force but may use play, deception, threats or other forms of coercion to engage children and maintain their silence.

    Abusers, in most cases, are not strangers, but people that are close to the family. This information is necessary because only when you as a parent is knowledgeable about these issues that you can effectively relate it to your children. Like the saying goes, you can only give what you have.

    Talking to children early about sexuality, relationships and sex will help them to be able to face all the challenges that are related to it. Today’s children are exposed to so many information about sexuality, relationships and sex, so if parents don’t give the right information, they will definitely pick up messages from their friends, the internet , television and magazines.

    However, this information in most cases is misleading, inaccurate and confusing. Therefore, sex education remains an important job for parents. Research over time has showed that young people would like their mums, dads, or guardians to be the first person to talk to them about their body changes, feelings, relationship and sex.

    Parents should not leave their children without supervision as they relate with people. They should be taught how to set boundaries in interacting with people. Keep your doors open for discussion at all times and learn to be good listeners because children love it when you listen and trust them.

    Only with effective communication skill can you be able to guide and guard your children. Avoid talking down on them, but instead shower your children with love so that they don’t go seeking love outside the home. Hug them, praise them, build their self-confidence, encourage them to be bold and outspoken, not to be timid.

    Furthermore, child abuse can be very traumatic for the child and parents, and if not handle properly can affect the child in other aspects of life. Some people, for instance, behave in a certain way because of what happened to them when they were younger.

    Parents of a child who has gone through this horrible experience must understand that their help is highly needed for the healing and recovery of their child. This is not the time for blame and accusation. Yes, you will feel pain, you will ask yourself many questions without answer, but do they solve the issue at hand. The answer is no, so the way forward is to help the child pick up the pieces and learn to look forward to a better and brighter future.

    A clear understanding of how an abducted, violated or abused child feels after a traumatic experience will help the parents in supporting their child through the recovery process. Sexual abuse can be a lonely and frightening experience. Victims may be left feeling shocked, confused and overwhelmed. They might find themselves unprepared to deal with the many thoughts and emotions that arise.

    Some will find it difficult to sleep, eat, mingle with people. Life on its own might prove worthless; some feel detached from themselves while some will cease to find happiness in what they use to enjoy. These are normal reactions that parents must be aware of in order to have a clear picture of the situation.

    Seeking professional help is a good step to take as well because the counsellor will be able to take the victim through the necessary healing and recovery process which is very important. A lot has happened to the victim whether abducted or abused, so every help available must be given to restore normality in the life of the victim. Finally, parents must learn to report abused cases, no matter who is involved.

    We must make sure as parents that the abuser faces the law for his wicked act that was carried out on an innocent girl. The protection and care of children must be taken seriously by parents or guardians.

     

    Harriet Ogbobine is a counsellor and a motivational speaker. Send your questions and suggestions to her on bineharriet@gmail.com or txt message only 08054682598. You can also follow her on twitter: @bineharrietj

  • ‘70,000 children may die of malnutrition’

    •’Over half of children in Kastina, Kebbi, Jigawa Yobe, Zamfara need treatment’

    No fewer than 70, 000 children may die of malnutrition, according to a report by the Working to improve nutrition in Northern Nigeria (WINNN).

    It said about 370,000 children with acute malnutrition in Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Yobe and Zamfara states would require life-saving treatment this year.

    It said 58 per cent of children below five years in these states are suffering from stunting.

    WINNN consists of experts from federal and state governments drawn from Ministries of Heealth, development partners, civil society organisation and the academia.

    At a meeting to discuss the results of its research, the group advised that  the causes of child malnutrition be addressed to reduce the high rate of child malnutrition in the North.

    It noted that treatment for severe malnutrition remained the focus, demanding that states increased attention be given to prevention, which is critical to addressing the problem.

    The research confirmed that many mothers do not understand the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, pointing out that giving water to a baby under six months could lead to illnesses and malnutrition.

    The experts recommended increasing activities to prevent malnutrition, such as encouraging women to attend health facilities for antenatal and postnatal care, where they could be given guidance on how to best feed their children, especially the most vulnerable children who are under two years.

    The group urged husbands, families and community members, including traditional and religious leaders to support women to breastfeed exclusively and to feed children under two years old.

    Communities should be educated about problems of harmful traditional feeding practices that could reduce an infant’s growth and development, and messages on good feeding practices should be carried on the radio, the experts agreed.

    The experts recommended that more effort should be put into preventing malnutrition, involving coordination with ministries of health, agriculture, women’s affairs and social development, and water resources.

    They also called for greater training and deployment of health workers.

    Lauding the increase in state and Federal Governments’and partners’commitment to resolve the problem of child malnutrition over the past several years, as well as the more than $47.9 million investment by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) in the WINNN programme since its inception in 2011, the participants highlighted the need for stakeholders to invest more.

    They called on the government to provide greater leadership, better coordination and increased funding to scale up the lessons learned from the WINNN programme, providing sustained action to improve the nutrition, health and future prospects of women, adolescent girls and children in northern Nigeria.

    The WINNN programme, implemented by the Federal Government with support from UNICEF, Save the Children and Action Against Hunger, is funded by DFID and works in three local government areas in each of the five states.

  • Unilever targets one million children on oral Health Day

    Unilever targets one million children on oral Health Day

    Unilever Nigeria Plc is targeting one million children in this year’s Oral Health Day, which holds at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos on March 18.

    The firm, through its brand, Pepsodent with the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), is promoting the culture of brushing day and night for healthy oral-care.

    Unilever Nigeria’s Vice President, Brand Building, Robbert-de Vreede, said the firm was committed to doing business in a sustainable way. This, he said was  why the firm is partnering the Nigerian Dental Association, Federal Ministry of Health and others to create awareness on oral health.

    He said: “Ninety per cent of the world’s population suffers from oral diseases. When kids are affected by such diseases, they may not be able to bear the pain and as such affect them in school or cause them to drop out of school for a period of time.

    “This year, we are educating one million children directly on how to take care of their teeth by brushing day and night using fluoride toothpaste such as Pepsodent.’’

    Nigerian Dental Association President Dr Bode Ijarogbe said World Oral Health Day is aimed at increasing awareness for oral health as well as the impact of oral diseases on general health, well-being and national economies.

    The theme for this year’s celebrations is Brush Day and Night… Healthy mouth. Healthy body.

    Category Manager, Oral Care, Unilever Nigeria, Bunmi Adeniba said the firm was committed to improving the oral health of 10 million children  by 2020 through Pepsodent Brush Day and Night schools programme.

    The World Oral Health Day  includes Brush Day and Night campaign, health awareness walk from LUTH, Idi-Araba to Jibowu Bus stop, Lagos, dental outreaches with minor interventions to rural communities.