Tourism

CPN Appeals to Gov. Makinde Over Relocation of Trans Amusement Park

By Web News 563

By Bunmi Agboola

Child Protection Network, CPN, Oyo State has appealed to the state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde to reconsider his decision to convert the Trans Amusement Park, Bodija into a housing estate.

The appeal was made during a peace walk to mark this year’s International Children’s Day at the Governor’s Office, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.

The CPN is a UNICEF Initiative which sees to gross violations of the rights of children such as lack of access to quality education, paucity of teachers in primary schools and the use of children as street hawkers and beggars to mention a few.

The Oyo State coordinator of CPN, Mrs Oluwatoyin Ogedengbe said Oyo State being one of the first states in Nigeria to domesticate the Child Rights Act, should give utmost priority to recreation centres for children which she said was one of their rights. 

Mrs Ogedengbe said the decision to relocate the Trans Amusement Park to the outskirts of Ibadan would deprive the generality of the children of Oyo State of their rights to leisure and recreation.

She appealed to the state government to use the parcel of land in llutuntun, Akinyele Local Government Area, initially recommended to replace the present Trans Amusement Park, for the proposed housing estate.

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Education

Access to quality education via technology vital for children – Protection Network

By Web News 504

By Funmi Obagbayegun

The rights of every child in the digital environment must be respected, protected and encouraged.

The Coordinator, Child Protection Network, Mrs Oluwatoyin Ogedengbe made the declaration at a stakeholders forum held in Ibadan, Oyo State, to mark this year’s Day of the African Child. 

Mrs Oluwatoyin Ogedengbe said innovation in digital technologies demanded that children keep abreast of the development, as their lives are equally affected in some areas including education. 

Mrs Ogedengbe explained that it was therefore vital that African children are allowed to gain access to quality education through technology.

The CPN Coordinator however urged parents to monitor their children on the habit of phone usage.

In a key note address, an ICT professional, Mr Seyi Olaleye said parents should not deny their children access to social media, which is today a global information and communication tool.

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Lifestyle

Ogun Child Protection Network Gets New Excos

By Web News 772

A legal practitioner representing Jehovah Nissi Mission Help Initiate, Mr. Adedamola Lapite has emerged the new state coordinator of the Child Protection Network in Ogun State having emerged victorious in the election of new officers to run the affairs of the organization for the next three years.

The election was conducted by a 4-man committee led by Mr. Adebayo Fashina, representing the Director of Child Development, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Ogun State, Mrs Nike Ajala, at the Women Development Centre, Presidential Boulevard, Abeokuta.

Mr. Lapite, during the State Coordinator election, polled 16 votes to defeat his opponent Mr Olumide Igbodipe representing the Community Development Initiative with 9 votes.

The National Coordinator of the Child Protection Network (CPN), Mr. Kunle Sanni, and a member of the National Board of Trustees Mrs Peju Osoba, witnessed the election.

Other newly elected officers of the Child Protection Network in Ogun State returned unopposed including Mrs. Margaret Oviutu returned as the  Deputy Coordinator, Mr. Similoluwa Adedayo elected as the General Secretary, Mrs. Olufunke Adu returned as the Assistant Secretary, Mr. Akinwande Orekoya elected as the Treasurer, Prof Iyabode Kehinde returned as the Financial Secretary and  Mrs. Olajumoke Fadairo the new Legal Adviser.

Others are Mr.  Olufemi Taiwo the new Public Relations Officer and Mrs. Olayinka Osonuga as the new Internal Auditor.

The National Coordinator of the body, Mr. Kunle Sanni, while speaking earlier, called on the contestants to work as a team and see themselves as champions in the interest of the children which is the reason for the Network..

In an acceptance speech, the new coordinator, Mr Lapite thanked members of the network for believing him and assured them that he would not disappoint them in the administration of the network.

He also called on his challenger to come up with his blueprint for the development of CPN to enable them to work together.

The Child Protection Network (CPN), an umbrella body of Non-Government Organisations was established in 2012 with a focus on issues of child abuse and other vices associated with the upbringing of the child

Wale Oluokun

Health

Accelerating Investments To End FGM

By Web News 709

Female Genital Mutilation or cutting is a practice that has been on for years in Nigeria and some counties of the world.

It is a partial or total removal of female genitalia for cultural or non-medical reasons.

Though some refer to it as female circumcision, experts say this is not similar in any way but rather mutilation that leaves the girl in pain and permanent scarring.

Many reasons have been given to support the cultural importance Of FGM.

One is that a girl circumcised will not be promiscuous but this has been proven to be wrong.

Secondly, it is believed that if an uncircumcised woman gives birth to a baby and the clitoris touches the head of the baby, the baby will either die or become an imbecile.

This also is not true.

Another reason for engaging in the practice is to ensure that marriage lasts but the contrary is the case as many women have lost their homes because they do not enjoy copulation.

The need also to keep the lineage practice by some families is also one reason why the practice has not been eradicated.

These local circumcisers known as “Oloola” or “Alabe” will go to any length to protect it.

What then can be done to redirect people’s orientation from this harmful practice?

General Secretary, Child Protection Network, CPN, Oyo State, Mrs Aminat Moshood urged women who had gone through the experience to stand against putting their girl-child through the same process.

This according to her is a form of investment towards ending FGM.

Mrs Moshood also urged everyone to take up the challenge of preaching the FGM message everywhere.

She also emphasised the need for women who have been through FGM to become ambassadors to end the practice by sharing their experiences.

In the same vein, Mr Femi Olajide, a member of CPN, maintained that FGM, as claimed to be in the interest of the girl-child, does not benefit them in any way considering the psychological pain and suffering it inflicts.

Apart from that, some girls get urinary or bladder infections while others become infected with HIV/AIDS.

The respondents said no girl or woman should be allowed to go through FGM hence the need for collaboration among stakeholders to eliminate the practice.

Anthonia Akanji

Crime

Group Wants Prompt Arrest of Suspect(s) behind Rape, Murder of Teenager

By Web News 851

The Child Protection Network in Ogun State has called for detailed investigation into the alleged rape and murder of a fourteen year old secondary school girl in Abeokuta.

In a statement by the coordinator, Mr. Alfred Soleye, the network expressed sadness and shock over the brutal murder of the school girl.

The group urged the police to carry out detailed investigation including accurate forensics examination on exhibits recovered from the crime scene to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book.

While commiserating with the family of the girl over the loss, the network pledged its commitment to support the family in ensuring that the perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted.

The Ogun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abimbola Oyeymi when contacted confirmed the incident, adding that investigation had commenced with assurance that, the perpetrators would be apprehended in due course.

The police spokesman explained that the remains of the girl had being deposited at the morgue in preparation for the autopsy.

The girl, Fathia Ojewoye was earlier declared missing by her parents at Agbeloba-Oniyonrin area of Abeokuta before her body was discovered three days after on an uncompleted building.

Wale Oluokun