CSOs seek empowerment for vulnerable children

Civil Society Organisations and stakeholders have called for a united effort to support vulnerable children in Nigeria.

The call was made during the 2024 Lagos Collaborate+ event, themed “Equipping Our Children for a Greater Future.”

The two-day programme, organised by the Christian Alliance For Orphans, in partnership with the Lagos State chapter of the Association of Orphanage Homes in Nigeria, was held in Ilupeju, Lagos State, within the week.

Speaking at the event, the keynote speaker and Chief Magistrate, Adejumoke Adelabu, highlighted the importance of parental responsibility in enhancing the lives of children.

She urged parents and guardians to give children a safe and secure environment to grow and correct them with love for the crimes they committed.

“Parents must fulfil their duties if they truly want to be called parents. Teachers should educate, and guardians should protect. Understanding the Child Rights Act of Lagos State 2015 is crucial because ignorance of the law is no excuse,” she stated.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of the Children and Community Protection Network, Awofeso Rasheed, urged all parties involved in child development to take responsibility.

He said, “We want to emphasise the role every stakeholder must play in the lives of vulnerable children. Community members, teachers, educators, caregivers, and parents all have a part to play in empowering and securing the future of vulnerable children in the state and even the nation.”

Rasheed noted that economic challenges had increased the risks for vulnerable children and encouraged participants to utilise available resources to help protect and empower them.

A consultant for CAFO, Oyeniran Abimbola, expressed excitement for the progress made since the organisation was founded in 2021, stating that the awareness created nowadays by organisations and even the government had helped in combating child abuse and reintegrating children with their families through fostering and adoption.

The President of the Lagos State Chapter of ASOHON, Ganiyu Dosunmu, called for increased funding for orphanages and training for parents to prepare vulnerable children for future challenges.