By Kayode Adeoti
In recent time, the rate of child abuse has continued unabated in our
society thereby generating concern among professional bodies.
In Ilorin, the ancient city of harmony for instance, the issue seems
to have defied all manners of approach. In fact, for now, one can
confidently opined that it has worsened going by the high number of
litigations lately.
Last week, one Oladimeji Adegboyega, a commercial motorcyclist who
resides at Agbabiaka, upper Gaa Akanbi area of Ilorin, was docked
before a family court for allegedly having canal knowledge of his
sixteen years old daughter for three years.
Adegboyega confessed to the crime before the law enforcement agency
and court, blaming generational curse for his illicit escapade with
his biological daughter.
In a related development, a civil servant in Oke-Ero Local Government
Area of Kwara State was also caught in the despicable act. He was
accused of abusing his thirteen-year-old daughter, sexually. The
innocent girl, (name withheld) in her confession, said her father
constantly had the sex with her once the mother was away.
She revealed further that the man would give her water mixed with salt
as preventive measure against pregnancy each time the act was
committed. After a while, the girl got pregnant and delivered of a
baby about a month ago, though, the child died a day after delivery.
The matter is equally in the court and it will be coming up again, July, 2019.
Cases of this nature seems to be on the rise. Teachers and parents now
sexually molest minors. The case of a senior lecturer, Solomon
Olowookere, at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, is still fresh.
Though the lecturer has denied the development, but he was said to
have raped the 17-year-old girl in his office andย covered her mouth
with bare hand.
In view of these scernerios and many more, Federation of Women Lawyers
carved out a department that defend the right of a child even for Pro
Bono. Just last week, a Non profit organisation “Save An African Child
Initiative, stormed the street of Ilorin to protest against the
menace.
The organisation carried out an awareness and sensitisation walk
across major streets within the state capital.
The walk tagged “A Thousand Walk Against Child Abuse” was embarked
upon to raise an alarm against all forms of abuse being perpetuated
against minors in the society. Team members while walking along the
streets were seen actively engaging the populace and passersby on this
evil acts, its effect on the life of the victims and the danger it
poses to the nation at large.
Among the team were school children from various schools within Ilorin
to represent their peers who are the victims of this heinous crime.
Others included men of the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Civil
Defence Corps and affiliated NGO’s and child advocates involved in the
protection of the Nigerian Child.
Speaking at the end of the walk, the President and Founder of Save An
African Child Initiative and organiser of the walk; Victor Marcus
stated that the rising evil trend was becoming too alarming and the
government cannot do it all, hence the decision to embark on the walk.
He warned that Save An African Child will not hesitate to take up any
case of child abuse to make sure perpetuators face the full wrath of
the law.
He also called on donor agencies, well meaning Nigerians and relevant
agencies to come to their aid financially and otherwise so that they
can do more in making life better for every kid especially the
vulnerable ones on the street. He advised parents to be careful with
people they leave their children with as some of the trusted
characters have been seen to abuse children sexually. He also decried
the rising case of child labour in the country, urging all state
governments to ensure free education for all children so they can be
off the streets.
He said the initiative still has many programmes and outings coming up
before the end of the year. He thanked everyone who took out time to
join in the walk, saying the exercise would not have been a success
without them.
