VANGUARD Newspapers, in collaboration with the Centre for Black Arts and Civilization, CBAAC, UNICEF and the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, will host a two-day Parenting Summit in commemoration of the 2011 International Day of the African child.

The summit with the theme “The place of parenting in curbing child abuse,” will hold, June 14 at Agip Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan Lagos from 9am to 3 pm. On June 16 there will be a road walk against child abuse by students from various schools across Lagos with the take off point at Police College Ikeja at 9 am and terminate at Governor’s office, Alausa, Ikeja.

Ten years of handling children and adolescent issues at the Vanguard has brought the paper to the shocking realization that the average Nigerian child is the subject of abuse by parents, relevant communities and the State.

It is regrettable that religious bodies no longer provide expected morals while families have also neglected their responsibility of providing love, hope and cultural values to the children.

Many parents also lack knowledge of what goes on in their homes because they are rarely there while many children do not trust their parents enough to confide in them in moments of confusion and difficulties

The Summit which is endorsed by UNICEF, WHO, CBAAC, Lagos State ministries of Health, Women Affairs and Education is, therefore, aimed at creating awareness among the populace, educating and sensitizing parents to the dangers children face in the society when they lack effective parenting as well as serve as channel where vital information will be given to children from different age groups.

The target audience includes children, parents, governments, schools, religious organisations, civil society and the private sector. Special Guest of Honour is the First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Fashola.

Other special guests include, Mrs Onari Duke, former First Lady of Cross River State; Mrs  Olufunsho Amosun, wife of the Governor of Ogun State while the Mother of the Day is Chief (Mrs) Orelope Adejoke Adefulire, Deputy Governor of Lagos State.