Do more to protect children against abuse – NGO tells parents

The President of Child Protection Network, Lagos State, Mrs Aderonke Oyelakin,  on Saturday called on parents to do more to protect their children against abuse by other people.

Oyelakin said in Lagos that parents should also avoid abusing the rights of their children.

She spoke at a public presentation and awareness talk of a non-governmental organisation, Fola-Mola Global Initiative (FMGI).

The  event had the theme: “Enhancing Equal Opportunity For All”.

She urged parents to educate their children on their rights, how to protect themselves, and the right ways to respond in the event of abuse of their rights.

“At Child Protection Network, we have the mandate to ensure that children’s rights are protected and their welfare looked into.

“We prevent and respond to issues of child abuse in Lagos State.

“We urge our children to always speak up whenever they notice any form of abuse,” she said.

Oyelakin urged security agencies, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to collaborate with Fola-Mola Foundation to fight child right violations and avoid covering up cases of abuse in communities.

Earlier, the FMGI  Founder, Mrs Folake Abdulsalam, called for increased efforts at providing quality education to  vulnerable children as a strategy to promote peace and stability.

Abdulsalam said that there was the need to bridge  the gap between children from dysfunctional homes and those from stable ones.

She said that children from dysfunctional homes were incapacitated to compete favourably  in education with other children in the society.

She blamed  the  gap on faulty family system.

“Family values have eroded completely in our society especially in densely populated communities.

“The situation at hand is worrisome due to continued decline in the economic conditions, increase in poverty and deterioration in family relations.

“It is a very serious issue that hinders children’s growth and national development,” she said.

Abdulsalam said that there was the need to  complement government’s efforts at alleviating the suffering of orphans and other  less privileged children and youths, to have a safe and balanced society.

“Our project operational activities aim to have more collaboration with authorities that manage the affairs of public primary and secondary schools in Lagos to achieve our objectives.

“The same project will be replicated in other states to build generations that will contribute positively to socio-economic development of Nigeria,” she said.

NAN reports that, at the event, Fola-Mola Foundation distributted learning materials to some pupils to support their education. (NAN)