Ambode seeks support in tackling child labour, abuse

• Akeredolu raises ‘Red Card’ against child’s right offenders
• Foundation, deaf school, Itel fete pupils on Children’s Day

Wife of the Lagos State governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, has sought for the collaboration and cooperation of all concerned stakeholders to confront the vices of child molestation and abuses.

Mrs. Ambode, who was at the celebration of Children’s Day at Agege Stadium, Lagos on Saturday, added that the vision of a society free of abuses and the dream of fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will remain a mirage without consistent empowerment and investment in the leaders of tomorrow.

She also underscored the need for molested children to speak out so that necessary help can be offered before the abuse becomes invincible. She listed some efforts by the state government to address the issues of child abuse to include the dedication of telephone lines specifically for cases of abuses (09077333425, 09077333426), establishment of 11 Family Magistrate Courts and two Family High Courts that are in place for care and protection of the children in government homes, review of the existing Child Right Law of Lagos State 2007, among others.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Pharm. (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, said the celebration presents opportunity for reflection on how well the rights of children are being protected by parents as the primary caregivers, teachers, government and the society.

The commissioner attributed the increasing societal decadence to faulty home etiquette, adding that children are often reflections of good upbringing or dysfunctional relationships between their parents and children.

In the same vein, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has reiterated the commitment of his administration to the protection of Ondo State children, pledging to strengthen the state’s Child Justice Administration to prosecute offenders.

Akeredolu said this at the weekend in Akure during the event to mark the 2017 annual Children’s Day celebration, themed: “Child Protection and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): Issues and Opportunities.”

He pointed out that the state cannot abandon the children because they are victims in times of hardship, crisis, violence, abuse, injustice and other forms of deprivation.

Dramatically, he presented a ‘Red Card,’ saying: “I hereby present this symbolic Red Card to tell all child abusers in the state that our administration will go all out to invoke the provisions of Ondo State Child’s Right Law 2007, which made abuse of any child in the state an offence on any person found guilty by any court of law.”

The Ovie Brume Foundation at the weekend hosted over 500 students from 30 schools to a children’s day celebration at the Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The elated students participated in the different exciting activities lined up by the foundation, to thrill the students, in which the winners walked away with consolation prizes.

Executive Director of the foundation, Adeola Arogbemi, said the foundation, which is in memory of late Ovie Brume, is dedicated to creating an enabling environment for the growth and development of young people in the society.

Also, Laviv International School, Isolo, held its children party, where pupils from the community were treated to entertainment. The children were engaged in various games, activities and refreshments.

Just like their counterparts, the students living with hearing impairment have proved that there is no barrier to achieving greatness in academic pursuit.
The Deaf Teachers’ Association of Nigeria (DTAN), Lagos chapter, last week held a quiz competition for deaf students in the state to mark the children’s day.

Held at Wesley School for the Hearing Impaired, Surulere, Lagos, the event brought participants from various deaf schools across the state, where they showcased their academic prowess.

Chairman of DTAN, Lagos, Abiola Adenuga, told The Guardian that the competition seeks to stimulate the academic abilities of deaf students and expose them to a competitive academic environment. He pointed out that there is no provision made for deaf students to participate in school competitions in the country.

Meanwhile, as a way of motivating students to improve on their academic performance, Itel mobile, a smartphone company has equipped over 70 pupils of Mosunmola Kiddies Nursery and Primary school, Ile-Ife, Osun State with school bags, mathematical sets, pens and other writing materials.

Speaking at the presentation held in the school premises, Itel Marketing Communications Manager, Oke Umurhohwo, said the company seeks to boost learning in both private and public schools all over the country, by providing schools bags and other writing materials to students, as part of their corporate social responsibility.

He said they are especially looking to motivate students in poor areas and communities to embrace education for a brighter future. While appreciating the gesture, Proprietress, Motherland Group of Schools, Mrs. Abosede Onabanjo, praised the company for its commitment to the education sector.