By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan.
The Director of Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Rev. Father Ade Owoeye on Wednesday said the organisation is set to protect the Nigerian children against child labour, maltreatment, and trafficking.
Reverend Father Owoeye who stated this while speaking at a programme held at the JDPC Bashorun office in Ibadan where no fewer than 64 children who are being supported morally and educationally by the organization were resettled.
He declared that there will be no going back in the organization’s commitment towards halting the menace of child abuse and child labour in the country.
According to Reverend Father Owoeye, towards realising these objectives, JDPC has inaugurated Child Rights Clubs in 31 selected secondary schools in Ibadan metropolis to educate the students on the dangers of child abuse and other child rights issues as well as provide basic needs for the indigent children.
The Director pointed out that JDPC had organized series of awareness campaigns, in schools, market and other strategic locations towards achieving its aims while children in areas like Mokola, Sango, Gate, Gbagi, Agbeni, Gangansi, Iwo Road, Ayeye, and Agodi-Gate were rescued through rehabilitation, re-union and resettlement.
“Child Right Club is open and it is not a cult, the content of the Child Right Law is written in English and Yoruba so that you can understand it as your level. You must continue to fight for your rights and you must find for what you know. We have menace of child trafficking and child labor in our society, you must guard yourselves against them” he said.
Also during the ceremony, educational materials were presented to students from 31 selected schools namely Abadina High School, University of Ibadan, Methodist Grammar School, Bodija, Community High School Orogun, Community High School, Agbowo-Bodija, Government Secondary School, Orita Aperin and Rochas Foundation.
Emphasizing that the 31 students were carefully chosen Reverend Owoeye noted urged them to make use of the great opportunity.
Items provided for the representatives of the schools include copies of the state child right law, instructional materials, writing and reading materials and bags among other items.
Speaking, the Head of Programme, Women Development and Child’s Right Programme, Mrs. Omotayo Mala-Adebayo said the child rights laws in the schools is to enable the students know their rights and as well build their capacity and not for them to misuse their rights but for them to know the do and donts.
“We are establishing child right laws in 30 selected schools in Ibadan today, we are resettling 61 children today and we are providing educational materials to 31 schools.
It is towards using their rights positively. We are happy today is a reality, we have been on this programme since 6 years ago, We now have trained counselors and teachers in these 31 schools, they will monitor their activities, they will teach them the right ways to use their rights and provide the basic advice for them”.
