By Sesi Noah The Ondo State Government has reaffirmed its firm stand against any form of child abuse — whether physical, psychological, or ...
By Sesi Noah
The Ondo State Government has reaffirmed its firm stand against any form of child abuse — whether physical, psychological, or sexual.
Speaking in Akure on Sunday, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Seun Osamaye, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that anyone caught molesting, trafficking, or forcing children into street trading or hawking will face prosecution.
According to her, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is deeply committed to protecting the rights of children, and the state has put in place strong laws and policies to punish offenders.
“Ondo State is currently rated as one of the safest places for children, largely because of our child protection laws and anti-child labour policies,” Osamaye said. She explained that several programmes have been domesticated and are actively being implemented to safeguard children’s rights.
She added that the government works with stakeholders across different sectors to raise awareness, enforce policies, and push back against child labour. A dedicated committee also monitors and ensures the proper implementation of child protection laws.
“Whenever we find cases of violence against children — though rare — we treat them very seriously and ensure justice is served,” she stressed.
Osamaye also pointed out that most of the children found out of school in Ondo are not indigenes, noting that residents of the state value education and make deliberate efforts to send their children to school. She praised the governor’s policies, which provide schoolchildren with learning materials to keep them in class.
Beyond child protection, the commissioner commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for rolling out empowerment initiatives that have touched the lives of women and vulnerable groups in the last six months.
She said the programmes, supported by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, have helped many women secure sustainable sources of livelihood. According to her, the empowerment schemes are inclusive, cutting across all 18 local government areas and reaching widows, the elderly, and even leprosy patients.
“We don’t just give out items; we follow up to ensure what beneficiaries receive is useful and sustainable. The goal is to help them earn a living and take care of their families,” Osamaye explained.
She stressed that the state government remains committed to building a society where children are safe, women are empowered, and vulnerable groups are not left behind.
Photo credit: Vanguard News
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