BREAKING NEWS, Youth
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THE Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to end violence against children in order to ensure a safe and secured future for all children in the State in particular and Nigeria in general.
Lola Akande, commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation WAPA, gave the pledge on Friday, January 8, while inaugurating the subcommittee set up to work towards the launch of year of action on ending violence against children, VAC, in Lagos State scheduled for February 2016.
Akande said that the launch of the VAC was crucial to the state government in view of the rampant cases of violence being perpetuated against children in the state. According to her, children are the bedrock of any nation as future leaders, hence the need to safeguard their future by putting an end to any form of violence against them.
The commissioner said: “Children experience different forms of abuses, many of which are not usually reported which is why the State Government, through the Ministry, is partnering with UNICEF to plan activities that will ensure successful launch of actions to end the scourge.”
She noted that evidence had shown that violence usually often caused negative mental, physical and cognitive development in children as it could lead to depression, anxiety, injury and make them susceptible to HIV/AIDS. Akande described such development as unacceptable, emphasising that the government would continue to do all within its power to end the menace for the safety of the children.
She said that many measures had been adopted by the government to end violence against children and urged members of the various sub committees to work in unison and mobilise all stakeholders for successful launch of VAC in the State.
Also speaking at the occasion, Olanike Oduwole, permanent secretary in the ministry, urged members of the subcommittee to take the assignment seriously in view of its importance to the state government.
She stated that no nation could develop when its children and youths were exposed to violence and, therefore, tasked the subcommittees to see the assignment as their commitment to securing the future of the children in the state, pointing out that it was their responsibility as parents as well as service to humanity.
Responding on behalf of other members of the subcommittees, Toro Oladapo, chairperson for media and publicity, Director of Public Affairs in the Ministry of Information and Strategy, expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in the members.
She stated that “the goal of the State Government is the goal of the committee’’ as the members are passionate about ending violence against children and as such will work hard to ensure successful launch of VAC in Lagos State.
Other subcommittees inaugurated are: Child Participation, Advocacy, Protocol, Event and Logistics.
— Jan 18, 2016 @ 01:00 GMT
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