ABEOKUTA- Global Support for Kids (GSK) Thursday Inaugurated the Committee for Welfare of Street Children (CWSC) in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Funmi Efuwape, represented by the Director of Child, Akinola Toyin Kayode urged the Committee members not to become agents of destruction, but to be good ambassadors and justified the confidence reposed on them.
The Commissioner also admonished the committee not to cover up for the children whenever they do wrong things inimical to the society, adding that by doing such, they would be endangering the lives of people in their community.
Efuwape hinted that the ministry cannot do it alone but need the support and collaboration of NGOs and CSOs, adding that children not attended to would become vulnerable to the society.
She therefore assured that the ministry would give adequate support to the Child Protection Network (CPN) and members of the committee to ensure that little children are taken off the streets.
Earlier in his welcome address, Opeyemi Olowookere, the Director of GSK admitted that building a child is building a nation, and that by keeping children off the street would definitely lead to community safety, and make everyone to come together as family.
“Police, trade unions, motor unions, security agencies, community leaders and many others have roles to play. Children seeing as problems today could become greater persons in the society tomorrow if well care for.
“Parental care must be raised as some were fond of training them with cruelty, transfer of aggression on their children, unnecessary beating, raining curses and unholy abuses, all these lead to children running away from home.
“When the home is not conducive for them, they eventually get acceptability outside home, they get freedom to do whatever they like. So, I urge total cooperation from all to take these children out of the street. Let’s give them fatherly and motherly love and to relate with them well”, he said
Similarly, former state Coordinator, Child Protection Network (CPN), Mrs. Peju Osoba in her remarks called on the committee members to stand in-between and to be confidants for these children at all time.
“They should be able to raise their voices whenever they are in need of help. Let them have fair hearings in time of difficulties”
Mainwhile, the Publisher of Penpushing Media, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji advised that the composition of the committee should be reshuffled to accommodate more women, adding that women are more inclined to take good care of the children than men.
He further hinted that for the committee to succeed, there is need for mutual synergy between the network and the media for proper dissemination of the activities of the NGO to the public.
One of the street children, Awesu Moruf who spoke on behalf of the other children at the event thanked the organisation for coming to their rescue, adding that most of them are endangered and have always be tagged as ‘bad kids’
Awesu who enumerated that most of the children on the street have legitimate handwork, but were only on the street die to family issues.
He however appeal to the government and other stakeholders present to see them as part of the society, and be duly Integrated
Present at the inauguration were former state Coordinator, Child Protection Network (CPN), Mrs. Peju Osoba, National Secretary of CPN, Olakunle Sanni; CPN Ogun State Coordinator, Soleye Akingbade; Officers of the Nigeria Police; Community leaders; Youths Ledaers; Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organizations, and amongst.
Members of the committee were: Abey B. Jimoh, Youths Leader at Abule Otun; Idowu Hassan; Tunde Jimoh, TORAN; Olaseni Arowora; Moshood Gbadanosi; Jide Dahunsi; Hakeem Ishola; Alhaja Tawakalitu Soneye, Secretary, Lafenwa Market Association, and many others.
