Lagos State Government has restated its commitment to the greater awareness of children’s rights in the State which is in line with the “THEMES” agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Administration.
Director, Citizen Rights, Ms. Adetutu Oshinusi disclosed this while speaking at the sensitization program held on Wednesday at Eva Adelaja Girls Senior Secondary School, Bariga and Ajayi Crowther Memorial Senior Grammar School, Bariga.
Speaking at both gatherings, the Director noted that the sensitization program is in furtherance to the “One Stop Child Justice Centre” an initiative of Directorate of Citizens Right (DCR), Lagos State Ministry of Justice, to reduce the spate of child abuse in the State and ensure that minors are protected from abuse and abusers.
The Director stated that the State Government in collaboration with Ministry of Justice, is fully committed to promoting and advancing the rights of children.
“We believe in the best interest of the child as the first and paramount consideration. We believe in the rights of our children to non-discrimination; to assurance of their best interests; to survival, development and protection; and to participation and self-expression”
Oshinusi added that the State Government will continue to enhance the protection and support for vulnerable children through sensitization programs and campaigns.
She reassured participants that this present administration has all it takes to safeguard the rights of children in the state and ensuring the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of all forms of child abuse in the society”.
Principal Social Welfare Officer, DCR, Mr. Henry Adedeji, emphasized on the importance of sensitizing schools in the state as this will further ensure that students are aware of their basic human rights, the laws that protect them and the adeptness to know specific agencies to report matters, whenever their rights is being infringed upon.
Responding, the Principal, Eva Adelaja Girls Senior Secondary School, Mrs. Soyoye Oluyinka, expressed profound gratitude to the Lagos State Government and Ministry of Justice for promoting and bringing awareness of the Child Rights Law to the school, while urging participants on the need to do much more to ensure that no child is left behind in any part of the sensitization process and also making certain that students will continue to be monitored and guided on their rights as citizens of the State.
