By Juliet Umeh

Founder of Edge Foundation, Mr. Casmir Ozuruigbo, has called on parents, religious institutions and government agencies to intensify efforts at protecting children from abuse, bullying and molestation, insisting that every child deserves a safe and secure environment to grow.

Ozuruigbo made the call during a Children’s Day sensitisation programme organised in collaboration with St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, where children were educated on child abuse, peer pressure and the importance of speaking up against harmful experiences.

Speaking at the event, Ozuruigbo said the programme was aimed not only at celebrating children but also empowering them against societal dangers.

“What we are doing here today is not just celebrating Children’s Day, it is to empower the children, educate them and guide them to understand that child abuse and bullying exist, and these things are not supposed to happen to any child,” he said.

According to him, “The programme marked the second collaboration between the foundation and the church after an earlier sensitisation exercise held in December.

“The church has been really phenomenal. The church has a very huge interest in children’s safety,” he added.

Ozuruigbo also commended the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, DSVA, for its intervention in abuse-related cases, citing a recent incident involving a three-year-old girl allegedly molested by a nanny.

“Because of our coming here, the mother of the child was able to reach out. Thank goodness for DSVA’s intervention, the suspect has been apprehended and the matter is already in court,” he stated.
He urged parents to break the culture of silence surrounding abuse and report offenders irrespective of family ties.

In his remarks, Reverend Father Vincent Ikechukwu stressed the importance of education and parental support in shaping children’s future.
“Education plays a very vital role in the life of every child. Parents should encourage their children and help them find their path without comparing them with others,” he said.

Also speaking, Parish Safeguarding Coordinator, Mrs. Ida Charity, said the church intensified awareness campaigns due to increasing cases of abuse within communities.
“Parents should not leave their children in the hands of strangers. Child upbringing begins from the home,” she said.

President of the Catholic Women Organisation, CWO, Mrs. Rebecca Ipuga, described child protection as a collective responsibility involving parents, schools, churches and government.
“It is not enough to just pay school fees. Parents must create time to talk with their children and pay attention whenever they notice changes in behaviour,” she advised.

Meanwhile, former inmate Jeremiah Amgbeye warned youths against cultism, drugs and criminal activities, stressing that “crime does not pay.”