…AG, SOS Children’s Villages, convener call for stronger protection systems, partnerships
The Oyo State Government has deepened its drive to strengthen child protection structures with the inauguration of a Technical Working Committee (TWC) mandated to draft the state’s first comprehensive Child Safeguarding Policy.
The committee was inaugurated by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Hon. Toyin Balogun, at the second Oyo State Child Safeguarding Summit held at the Civic Centre, Idi-Ape, Ibadan.
The summit, organised by Haven Initiative in partnership with the ministry, brought together government officials, development partners, civil society groups and child protection experts under the theme: “Strengthening Partnerships: Accelerating Safe and Protective Environments for Children in Oyo State.”
Balogun, who was represented by Mr. Diya Ogunjimi, described the gathering as “a collective call to action,” noting that children across communities still face increasing risks of abuse, exploitation and neglect. She stressed that the era of fragmented efforts must give way to stronger, sustained partnerships.
“Every child deserves safety, dignity and the freedom to dream without fear,” she said, urging stakeholders to make commitments that will shape “the protective systems of tomorrow.”
She commended Haven Initiative for its dedication to child protection and reaffirmed the state’s commitment, under Governor Seyi Makinde, to improved reporting systems, capacity-building for caregivers and swift response to abuse cases.
A major highlight of the event was the inauguration of the TWC, which will draft a safeguarding framework aligned with global best practices. The policy aims to ensure that safeguarding becomes “a standard, not an aspiration” across schools, health institutions, religious organisations and communities.
Panel sessions also examined persistent gaps in child protection, highlighted community models and proposed innovative strategies to strengthen safety nets for children.
In a goodwill message delivered on his behalf, the Oyo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Abiodun Ayodeji Aikomo, reiterated the ministry’s commitment to child protection and pledged full support for the development of the Safeguarding Policy.
Represented by Deborah Collins, Aikomo lauded the Ministry of Women Affairs for its “steadfast leadership” in driving child protection reforms, saying the summit reflects the state’s unyielding resolve to ensure no child suffers avoidable harm.
He highlighted notable strides recorded since the inaugural 2024 summit, including the passage of the Alternative Care Guideline for Children, ongoing engagement with the House of Assembly on a broader protection framework, and the selection of members for the newly inaugurated policy drafting committee.
“These milestones show that our commitments have translated into measurable action,” Collins said.
The AG also approved Collins as the ministry’s representative on the committee, citing her expertise in child rights advocacy and criminal justice.
In his remarks, the Programme Manager, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria (Oyo State), Mr. Gabriel Adajie, urged government agencies, civil society groups and community leaders to deepen collaboration, noting that protective environments cannot be achieved in silos.
Adajie described the summit as “timely and vital,” stressing that safeguarding must be rooted in “empathy, accountability and social justice.”
Adajie said durable protection depends on trusted caregivers, accountable institutions and active communities. He called for sustained investment in frontline training, community monitoring systems, and child-inclusive policies.
He reaffirmed SOS Children’s Villages’ commitment to supporting Oyo State, particularly in preventing child-family separation and strengthening resilience through its Family Strengthening Programme.
Convener of the summit and Harvard EdX–certified child safeguarding expert, Mrs. Omotayo Adebayo, urged stakeholders to treat child protection as a shared duty.
Adebayo noted that the first summit achieved major progress, including increased awareness and policy engagement with the House of Assembly.
She announced the launch of her debut book, The Guardians of Innocence, describing it as a practical tool for schools and child protection actors.
“This summit is a wake-up call,” she said. “Let us work together to build a future where every child is safe, protected and empowered to succeed.”
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander in Oyo State, Rosemary Alo, represented by Deputy Corps Commander Rita Omowa, described the summit as timely, adding that the corps is partnering with organisations to ensure child and community safety.
The Director of Child Welfare, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Gbemileke Ojerinde, said progress on the Safeguarding Policy includes “a set of actions, policies and measures to keep children away from harm and prevent abuse before it happens.”
He added: “We want to ensure that our children are safe.”
The summit also featured a Shadow Children’s Parliament, where child representatives from various constituencies discussed critical issues affecting children, including child labour, child marriage, and cases of children dying following sexual abuse.
