Oyo govt, come to the aid of neglected children

I want to draw the attention of the Oyo State government to the increase in the number of neglected children and teenagers in Ibadan and its environs. It seems these children, who are called omo oku (children of the dead), have been abandoned by their parents.

They are destitute. One of the biggest problems facing this country is the inability of some parents to send their children to school. It will be unfortunate if the neglected children grow up and become Indian hemp smokers who, and after some time, could invade communities to rob and kill.

If we looked closely, we could see that some neglected children are being used by politicians to steal ballot boxes. It is, therefore, important that the government of Governor Abiola  Ajimobi should assist these children by sending them to school.

These neglected children are in Mokola roundabout. They are on the road to clean the windshield of cars while the traffic lights put them on hold. It is generally believed that the neglected child of today will become societal threats tomorrow. Rehabilitation centres should be built to take care of these children.

The Oyo State government should constitute a committee that will look into their case.

Let me also use this opportunity to call on the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, to facilitate the passage of bills that will compel parents to send their children to school and to take care of destitute.

This could potentially check overpopulation as parents realise that they would be penalised for not sending their children to school. I am of the belief that the United States and United Kingdom governments will be of help to the Oyo State government if approached on this important issue.