Parents, Children Should Be Educated On Child Rights Issues-Langbasa Monarch

The traditional ruler of Langbasa town in Eti Osa East Local Government Area of Lagos State, His Royal Majesty Oba Hafeez Olakunle Badiru has enjoined children and parents in Lagos State to know their rights as stipulated by the State Government laws.

Addressing journalists in Langbasa in an event organised to mark his coronation, the traditional ruler who had handled various responsibilities in Lagos State before  ascending the throne of his forefathers said, cases of child abuse is one of the paramount issues the Lagos State Government has been raising awareness about.

Explaining why he decided to include awareness campaign about the rights of the child in the week-long event, His Royal Majesty said cases of child abuse are part of his program and people must be sensitised.

“I have been a Counsellor at Eti Osa and I have served at various positions before becoming a traditional ruler. Child abuse cases are parts of the cases reported to us, so I feel it is necessary for children to know their rights within the society,” he said, stating further that, “I have discovered most of these children don’t know their rights and what child abuse entails. Even the parents don’t know their rights, they don’t know the meaning of child abuse and that is why I decided to put it in my program because every child should know his or her rights and same as the parents. That is why it is very important.”

Concerned about creating enough awareness about child abuse and related issues, the traditional ruler is bent on adding his voice to what the state government is doing regarding the issue. “This is one of the ways we can curb child abuse and raise awareness because a lot of these people involved don’t know and this is one of the ways to create the awareness because people need to be informed. People need to know what the Lagos State government is doing and this is a way to reduce and even eradicate child abuse our communities,” he said.

Also at the event, Mrs. Kehinde Iyade representing the Lagos State Domestic Violence Response Team, addressed school children and parents present at the event on child abuse and its prevention.

 

According to her, children are not abused by total strangers most of the time but by close friends and relatives. She however advised parents to be watchful. “Children are not abused by strangers but trusted adults. That is our finding,” she said, advising parent further that, “It is advisable not to allow extended family members to live with us if possible.”

Stating further, Iyade said, “Before now the penalty of child abuse and molestation used to be a seven year jail term but now it is life in prison in Lagos State.” She however advised children to report cases of domestic violence around them.

“If you can’t tell anybody, tell a teacher close to you. Children should know child abuse is wrong and that Lagos State government will never accept it.”

The event featured goodwill messages from the various Baales from Langbasa communities and special performances by school children who were on ground to felicitate with the new traditional ruler.