Ondo govt begins implementation of child protection law

The Ondo State Government has commenced the implementation of child protection law in a bid to protect the rights of children in the state.

To this end, the Ondo State Agency Against Gender-Based Violence has formed a partnership with an international agency, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy to validate the child protection policy draft and had concluded plans to embark on sensitisation of the people on the new policy.

Speaking at the programme on Thursday, in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Country Representative of WFD, Mr. Adebowale Olorunmola, explained that the policy was put in place to protect children under 18 years against violence at school, home and on the streets.

According to him, the sustenance of the law relied much on the support and participation of all stakeholders including parents, teachers, public institutions, security agencies and the citizenry.

He said, “The essence of the validation is to ensure nothing is left missing and that nothing that was not agreed on is added.

“There is a consensus reached that the document is necessary for the protection of our children in schools and that schools are made conducive and welcoming for the children. Not only in schools but other places where children encounter hardship to ensure they are protected, safe and not violated.

“There is a need for awareness to be created and no single institution can do this. All stakeholders must ensure this is done including the fourth estate of the realm.”

In her remark, the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu,  called on parents, teachers and non-teaching staff in schools to ensure conducive and welcoming environment for pupils.

Represented by the Executive Secretary of OSAAGBV, Barrister Bolanle Afolabi, the Ondo first lady said government agencies couldn’t do it alone, but all stakeholders must play their individual roles.

Afolabi, who spoke with journalists after the event, said her agency in collaboration with all necessary stakeholders, including traditional rulers, would soon begin sensitization and education of the people about the contents of the policy across the 18 local government areas of the state.

“As an agency, we will monitor all the schools to ensure that all individualise policies are duly implemented in all schools in Ondo State.

“We are also to collect data of all abuses that might have occurred in schools and to ensure justice is done.

The right of students in schools must be protected, ” she submitted

(Punch)