Emmanuel kehinde, Ilorin
The Save the Future of Children Initiative (SAFIN) has lamented that about 6000 Nigerian children are in juvenile prison and detention nationwide.
Mr Olufemi Oyedeji, the Executive Director of the Initiative disclosed this in Ilorin, in his presentation on Child Protection Reintegration Project, support by UNICEF with funding from European Union.
The programme is a Stakeholders Consultatative Meetings on Child Protection Case Management for Effective Service Provision for Higly Vulnerable Children in Kwara.
According to him, the number of children in Nigerian juvenile detention is unacceptable and contrary to the Child Right Acts of Nigeria enacted in 2003.
He explained that the Child Right Act made ample provisions for children who are in conflict with the law.
Oyedeji observed that these children should not be neglected or else the security of the society will be threatened.
He asserts that child protection requires multi-sectoral approach, where every Ministry, Department and Agencies (MDAs) must partner to bring about solutions.
“There is need for organisations, government and private sector to come together and develop a robust refferral service to be provided by professionals.
“These are those in child protection services, economy, education, vocation, psychosocial support and counselling to work together and ensure that children are properly rehabilitated and re-integrated,” he said.
The expert on Child Protection explained that the initiative is in partnerahip with the
government to ensure these children in juvenile detention such as Borstal Training Institute are rehabilitated and re-integrated into the society.
He disclosed that about 54 children from the corrective institution have so far been registered and enrolled for vocational training by the initiative, adding that more would he enrolled eventually.
Oyedeji however lamented that paucity of funding remains a critical challenge, while tasking stakeholders as well as government at all tiers, on budget to respond to the needs of these children.
He emphasised on the need to build support for effective social protection services, adding that many parents have shirk their responsibilities, which has metamorphosed into degeneration of children in the society.
Our correspondent, reports that during a Plenary session by different MDAs and organisations, there is observation that the family structure, religious institutions, schools, society and the government must play their parts effectively to reduce cases of child delinquent in the society.
