Nigerians told to say no to violence, child abuse

A consortium of nongovernmental organisations under the aegis of Child Protection Network (CPN), Oyo State, says that Nigerians should stand up to say no to all forms of abuse, inadequate health services, and children without formal education.

Chairman of the forum in Oyo State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Ogedengbe, speaking at an awareness campaign at Ajimobi Motor park, Ibadan, the group’s ninth activity to mark 19 days of activism for the prevention of violence against children and youths, stated that increasingly the rights of children are violated and Nigerians must be sensitised on why these rights must be protected.

Mrs Ogedengbe said upholding the rights of Nigerian children should be the role of everyone, including traders, drivers and artisans because sexual abuse, violence, rape and other forms of abuse against children occur daily, especially at the grassroots, and many of these are covered up.

She declared, “We are encouraging people to speak up; their identities will be protected when they call us; we know what to do and we will rise to the occasion to ensure that the rights of our children are protected.”

Mrs Oluwatoyin Daniel, CPN Oyo branch’s Public Relations Officer, at the campaign to culminate with the Universal Children Day’s celebration, said “In Nigeria today, four out of 10 girls are at risk of sexual abuse; six out of 10 girls are at risk of been raped before the age of 18. In Oyo State recently, there is virtually no day that we don’t have cases been reported to Child Protection Network.”

According to her, the child rights law and other laws that prohibit cultural practices like female genital mutilation violence must be enforced while perpetrators of violence against children must be publicly disgraced and penalised.

She said “it is important to get to hard-reach areas to talk to them about eliminating violence against children. These ills in society against children start from the home and determine the future of these children and the nation.

“We want to end violence among children: rape, child prostitution, street children, health discrimination, drug use and also harmful traditional practices.  Children are involved in prostitution or cybercrime; this shouldn’t be heard in our society.”

Women leader, the Iyaloja, Nigerian Youth Traders Association, Ajimobi Motor Park, Ibadan, Alhaja Mosurat Animasahun said children and women in troubled relationships should not hesitate to seek redress, just as she condemned female genital mutilation and violence against children in all its forms.

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