…take campaign to Ekiti House Assembly, Ministries, MDAs
By Udesinanna Stephen, Success Nwankwo
The Child Protection Network (CPN) Ekiti State Chapter in conjunction with other Civil Society Organisations have staged a peaceful walk to show their displeasure with the rising spate of child abductions, abuses and other vices across the country.
The train of the rally visited the Ekiti State House of Assembly, government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), calling on relevant authorities to take more drastic steps to end child abduction, abuses, and molestation.
ROUNDOFFNEWS gathered that the exercises which was organised by the CPN is part of efforts to raise awareness against insecurity orchestrated against children.
During the exercise, participants carried some placards with various inscriptions bearing their minds and agitations.
Speaking in all the places visited, the Southwest Zonal Coordinator, CPN, Nigeria, Pastor (Dr) Peter Akosile while addressing Representatives of the State Assembly sought the support of the House to create enabling environment for children with a call for proper implementation of laws protecting their rights
In same vein, the General Secretary, Coalition of Ekiti Civil Society Organization (COECSO), Timothy Olasunkanmi Idowu, noted that “Without education we will say people are not enlightened but their are different Non Governmental Organizationd (NGOs) in Ekiti enlightening people and it has not stop. Ekiti has a structure, the house of assembly has done well, the government has done well but it is one thing to have the law and another to implement it.”
The State Coordinator, CPN, Oluwatimelehin Adaeze, said the impact of child abuse and abduction is on the family as it shatter the heart of love ones, hence called for continued justice.
In response, the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, represented by the Director Administration and Supply of the Assembly, Mrs Omotosho, commended the Initiative and assured the audience that the Speaker will look into their demands.
Also, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General in the State, Dayo Apata (SAN), said the campaign was inspiring considering its concerns for the future of the country, who are the children.
He said: “The children you are representing is like thinking about the future of Nigeria. Despite the sun you have come here to make move, but this does not end in the Ministry of Justice, it starts from family to the Local Government (LG), and to the State. We are collaborating with the police, Civil Defence, we are open.”
Similarly, the Commissioner, Women Affairs and Social Development, Ekiti State, Peju Babafemi, appraised the peaceful walk, however, she revealed that the State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji wouldcontinuously engage stakeholders to find lasting solution to kidnapping in the state.
At the State’s Ministry of Justice, the Alaye of Oke-Ayedun Ikole, LG, his Royal Majesty, Oba Femi Aribisola Obembe II, called on parents to focus on their children toward protecting them from insecurity. While lamenting on sponsors of kidnappers in the state, “Even if you get the kidnappers you don’t see the millions in them, you see them with tattered cloths, then where are the millions? may God protect us.” He prayed.