•By KAZEEM OYENIYI
IBADAN – AS Nigeria joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Children’s Day, stakeholders at the Oyo State Child Safeguarding Summit 2025 have called on the state government to adopt a comprehensive Child Protection Policy to ensure the safety and welfare of every child in the state.
The summit, organised by the Haven Initiative for Women and Children in collaboration with the Oyo State Government, UNICEF and other partners, brought together public and private sector stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for strengthening child safeguarding systems.
One of the guest speakers while speaking on the theme of the event “Strengthening Partnerships: Accelerating Safe & Protective Environment For Children In Oyo State.” Barrister Taiwo Akinlami, a renowned child protection advocate and founder of the Taiwo Akinlami Academy, underscored the urgent need to make children’s safety a collective priority.
Akinlami, who shared his personal story of childhood abuse, emphasized that preserving the innocence and emotional wellbeing of children must be viewed as a fundamental responsibility by parents, institutions and government.
He said, “If we fail to nurture and preserve their childhood, they may become a terror in the future,” he warned.
“I was a victim of child abuse. I lost my virginity at age six and was labelled ‘Evil Boy.’ But when I found courage at 27 and pursued education, I committed my life to ensuring that no child goes through such trauma.”
He called for immediate development and adoption of a statewide Child Protection Policy, adding that the existing Child Rights Law was insufficient in addressing present-day threats to children.
Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, described child safety as “non-negotiable,” stressing that safeguarding must extend beyond schools to homes, religious institutions and online spaces.
She said, “Threats to children’s safety are rising in schools, the community and digital spaces. Safeguarding is a collective responsibility, not just that of government,” she said.
She praised Oyo State for taking proactive steps and described the summit as a “clear signal” that the state was ready to create a safer environment for every child.
Representatives from Oyo SUBEB, FIDA, NSCDC, FRSC, the Police, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Ministry of Justice, JDPC, NOA, Child Protection Center Ibadan, teachers, parents and students all echoed the need for coordinated action.
They noted that child protection must be prioritised because “children are the leaders of tomorrow,” adding that safeguarding efforts must translate from words into concrete action.
The Executive Director of Haven Initiative, Mrs. Omotayo Adebayo, described the inauguration of the Oyo State Safeguarding Social Policy Technical Committee as a major milestone.
She said, “This policy will apply in all secondary schools, health institutions and any place where children gather. This is aimed to prevent harm, define stakeholder roles and amend the Oyo State Child Rights Law of 2006 to close existing gaps.”
She added that some parents still fail to report sexual violence due to lack of awareness, stressing that the new policy will ensure such cases are treated as state offences to reduce trauma for victims.
The Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Oyo State, Mrs. Ajolayo Akande, commended the government’s efforts, noting that the state had made progress in public enlightenment on children’s rights and welfare.
Similarly, Social Development Lawyer Olabisi Afolabi stressed the importance of involving children directly in policy development.
“Every child—boys, girls and the vulnerable—deserves equal protection. Our focus now is awareness, drafting the policy framework and developing an implementation plan,” she said.
Participants expressed optimism that Oyo State would become the second state in Nigeria to adopt a full Child Safeguarding Policy, signaling a renewed commitment to creating a safe, nurturing environment for children across the state.