The Executive Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Wasiu Adesina inaugurated a 35-member Local Government Child Rights Implementation Committee (LGCRIC) on November 18, 2024.
The committee, established at the council’s Secretariat, will focus on enforcing child rights and safeguarding children across the local government area.
The LGCRIC initiative, a partnership under UNICEF’s Child Protection Network in Lagos State, aligns with its mission to “Prevent and Respond” to child abuse and promote children’s rights.
The new committee will actively engage stakeholders, monitor child welfare issues, and intervene where necessary to ensure children are safe, nurtured, and allowed to develop fully.
Speaking to Ikorodu News Network (INN) after the committee’s formation, Hon. Wasiu Adesina emphasized that the primary purpose of this committee is to protect the rights and welfare of children in the community.
“This committee has been established to ensure that no child within Ikorodu Local Government suffers abuse and that every child receives the support and safety they deserve,” Adesina stated.
He highlighted plans to collaborate with international partners, including the European Union and the British Council, to further prioritize child rights initiatives.
Adesina also advised parents to provide a nurturing environment for their children, stressing the importance of education.
He urged them to avoid harmful disciplinary methods and to refrain from sending children to engage in street hawking.
He also encouraged children to respect their parents and focus on their education.
Mrs. Bukola Owokodu, the Child Protection Network Coordinator for Ikorodu, explained that the purpose of the initiative is to encourage community ownership of child protection efforts.
“The success of a program lies not just in its creation but in its implementation. This initiative has been in place for some years but lacked the impact we’re now striving to achieve. We are reviving this effort to make a tangible difference in the lives of children in our community,” she said.
Mrs. Owokodu stressed the importance of collective responsibility, urging residents to report cases of child abuse.
“If you see something, say something. If you witness a child being abused, it is essential to notify the local authorities or reach out to the Child Protection Network. Reports can be made anonymously to safeguard the identity of the informant,” she added.
Furthermore, she highlighted the need for synergy among local authorities and law enforcement agencies to ensure effective intervention in child abuse cases.
She noted a recent intervention by the Child Protection Network at the Ipakodo police station, where they advocated for justice on behalf of minors allegedly manipulated into fraudulent activities.
The 35-member LGCRIC comprises prominent figures and officials from Ikorodu Local Government and the Child Protection Network.
The committee includes: Aarebirin Hon. Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba, Vice-Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government; Alhaji Lateef Afini, Secretary to the Local Government; Deaconess Busola Isikalu, Iya-Oloja General of Ikorodu Division; Alhaji Lukman Sonibare, re-elected Chairman of the CDC in Ikorodu Local Government; Hon. Fatuga Mutiat, Ward B Councillor, Ikorodu Local Government; Alhaja Rashidat Bello, APC Woman Leader in Ikorodu Division.
These officials, along with other council members and child protection advocates, are charged with ensuring the effective implementation of child rights and safeguarding children from abuse in the Ikorodu community.
The LGCRIC initiative aims to address various forms of child abuse, including sexual, emotional, and physical abuse, as well as neglect.
The committee will also tackle the prevalence of bullying and child exploitation.
To raise awareness, they plan to educate families on the basic rights of children, which include protection, development, participation, and survival.
Hon. Wasiu Adesina expressed hope that with the support of stakeholders and community members, Ikorodu would become a model for child protection and rights enforcement in Lagos State.
“The establishment of the LGCRIC marks a critical advancement in Ikorodu’s commitment to child protection, ensuring that all children have a safe and supportive environment for growth and development,” he added.
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