The Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, Wife Bolanle
Ambode and about 2000 public primary and secondary school students
from various parts of Lagos State graced the African Women Lawyers
Association (AWLA Nigeria) organized event on Saturday June 17 to
mark the 2017 International Day of the African Child which was held
at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Lagos State Secretariat Alausa,
Ikeja.
The Governor who was represented by the Permanent Secretary and
Solicitor-General of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mrs.
Funmilola Odunlami, emphasised that the historic day is an
opportunity to restate the government’s commitment to the
protection and welfare of children because the achievement of a
nation’s prosperity is determined by the quality of care and
attention given to children in order to make them realise their
potentials.
He stated that Lagos State has adopted the Safeguarding and
Child Protection Policy aimed at providing a safe and conducive
environment for children to thrive. He assured the parents and
family members of the 6 students that were kidnapped at Igbonla
Model College that Government and security agencies would not rest
until the kidnapped children were brought back while the
perpetrators of this heinous crime will face the full wrath of the
law.
The First Lady, Mrs Bolanle Ambode in her speech enumerated the
various child-friendly achievements of Lagos State that has exposed
children to positive global opportunities and promised that
government would do more to uplift the children towards realizing
the 2030 agenda.
Other Speakers at the event included Mr. Shina Sofola SAN,
Representative of PBO Foundation, Oba Omogbola Akanbi (Oba of
Bariga), Mrs. Onii Nwangwu-Stevenson, Secretary AWLA, Mrs. ‘Peju
Oduye-Quadri, AWLA Vice President and Mrs. Mandy Asagba, AWLA
National President who all urged the children to be diligent and
hardworking in order to achieve success. The Governor and the First
Lady while appreciating AWLA for partnering with the government
commended the Women Lawyers for their efforts and quest to improve
the welfare of children irrespective of their social and economic
background.
Children were also enlightened about the activities of the
Family Courts, Office of the Public Defender, Citizens Mediation
Centre, One Stop Justice Centre, Hotlines for Redress, Domestic and
Sexual Violence Response Team and the implication of WAPA’s Yellow
and Red Cards against violators of Child Rights in Lagos State.
The children also showcased their skills and talent in acting,
singing, debate, traditional dancing and poetry; depicting the
challenges and plight of Nigerian children. In line with AWLA’s
vision and mission of promoting and protecting the rights and
interests of children in Africa, highlight of the Day was the
unveiling of the AWLA BOOKLET written in honour of African Children
which reflected the 2017 theme titled: “Accelerating Protection,
Empowerment and Equal Opportunities for Children in Africa by
2030.”
It should be noted that June 16 of every year commemorates the
day children in apartheid South Africa were murdered for demanding
for a better future. The Day is now observed as a day to focus
attention on the plight of African children and how we can
collectively ensure a better world for them.
Report compiled by: Oluwatomi Ajayi, Chairperson
Research Committee of African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA)
Nigeria
The Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, Wife Bolanle
Ambode and about 2000 public primary and secondary school students
from various parts of Lagos State graced the African Women Lawyers
Association (AWLA Nigeria) organized event on Saturday June 17 to
mark the 2017 International Day of the African Child which was held
at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Lagos State Secretariat Alausa, Ikeja.
The Governor who was represented by the Permanent Secretary and
Solicitor-General of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mrs.
Funmilola Odunlami, emphasised that the historic day is an
opportunity to restate the government’s commitment to the
protection and welfare of children because the achievement of a
nation’s prosperity is determined by the quality of care and
attention given to children in order to make them realise their
potentials.
He stated that Lagos State has adopted the Safeguarding and
Child Protection Policy aimed at providing a safe and conducive
environment for children to thrive. He assured the parents and
family members of the 6 students that were kidnapped at Igbonla
Model College that Government and security agencies would not rest
until the kidnapped children were brought back while the
perpetrators of this heinous crime will face the full wrath of the
law.
The First Lady, Mrs Bolanle Ambode in her speech enumerated the
various child-friendly achievements of Lagos State that has exposed
children to positive global opportunities and promised that
government would do more to uplift the children towards realizing
the 2030 agenda.
Other Speakers at the event included Mr. Shina Sofola SAN,
Representative of PBO Foundation, Oba Omogbola Akanbi (Oba of
Bariga), Mrs. Onii Nwangwu-Stevenson, Secretary AWLA, Mrs. ‘Peju
Oduye-Quadri, AWLA Vice President and Mrs. Mandy Asagba, AWLA
National President who all urged the children to be diligent and
hardworking in order to achieve success. The Governor and the First
Lady while appreciating AWLA for partnering with the government
commended the Women Lawyers for their efforts and quest to improve
the welfare of children irrespective of their social and economic
background.
Children were also enlightened about the activities of the
Family Courts, Office of the Public Defender, Citizens Mediation
Centre, One Stop Justice Centre, Hotlines for Redress, Domestic and
Sexual Violence Response Team and the implication of WAPA’s Yellow
and Red Cards against violators of Child Rights in Lagos State.
The children also showcased their skills and talent in acting,
singing, debate, traditional dancing and poetry; depicting the
challenges and plight of Nigerian children. In line with AWLA’s
vision and mission of promoting and protecting the rights and
interests of children in Africa, highlight of the Day was the
unveiling of the AWLA BOOKLET written in honour of African Children
which reflected the 2017 theme titled: “Accelerating Protection,
Empowerment and Equal Opportunities for Children in Africa by
2030.”
It should be noted that June 16 of every year commemorates the
day children in apartheid South Africa were murdered for demanding
for a better future. The Day is now observed as a day to focus
attention on the plight of African children and how we can
collectively ensure a better world for them.
Report compiled by: Oluwatomi Ajayi, Chairperson
Research Committee of African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA)
Nigeria