Global Support for Kids Initiative

GLOBAL SUPPORT FOR KIDS INITITIVE ORGANIZED THE FIRST MAIDEN MEETING AND A DAY TRAINING FOR COMMITTEE OF THE WELFARE OF STREET CHILREN IN OGUN STATE

Global Support for kids Initiative in conjunction with Child Protection Network (CPN) organized a day training for committee members for the welfare of street children held on the 11^th February 2021, 9am at cubes hall tantalizer Lafenwa Abeokuta Ogun state. Thirty one participant were in attendance, the Director of Child representing the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Nigerian police both from Lafenwa police station and the railway police station, NSCDC, market leaders at Lafenwa, Abule Otun community youth leaders [PRO], Enu gada youth secretary, the Media were also present, Representative of OGBC, Splash FM, News Nigeria, City voice.com, blue print media, and the man of the press.

The monitoring and evaluation officer of global support for kids initiative who is also the assistant secretary of CPN Ogun state welcomed all participant to the event, he said the motive behind the training is to enlighten the committee on modern day approach in interacting with the street children. He advised that the community after the training should also be responsible for the street children, adding that most of the children who are brutalized have no fault, it is due to the challenges they face in one way or the other that made them so. Furthermore he said that parent needs to watch their children closely, also the rate at which parent inflict pain on their children should be reduced by applying another strategy to caution the children. They should also ensure they show love to their wards, and also monitor the growth of the girl child, parent should ensure that their children safety is of great importance to them. He further disclosed that the training will be on a quarterly basis.

The commissioner of Ministry of women Affairs, represented by Mr. Akinola Kayode celebrated global support for kids initiative for coming up with such programme, that it will change the members orientation to assist and guide the street children. He identified that broken homes, bad influence are some of the major reason why we see street children around, he advised that members of the committee should identify with the children and integrate them back to the society.

To go further in the training Mrs. Adeleke Margret, the general secretary of child protection network Ogun state (CPN) introduced the concept of child protection. She explained on how to protect the children from any form of abuse.In her speech shealso made it cleared that involving in child protection is a way of helping our children.After her speech, question was asked by one of the participant which stated that “if a child is acting strange and feeling reluctant to go to school while his siblings are prepared to go to school, what corrective approach can be used for such child, Mrs. Adeleke Margret replied that there will be need for such parent to have quality time with the child to enable the child to express himself to the parent, stating that adequate time and counseling is what such child needs so that the parent can get the true information about what the child problem is. Afterwards the participant were allowed to exercised themselves with zobo drink and snacks.

After the exercise Mr.SOLEYE AKINGBADE ALFRE, Ogun state child protection network (CPN) coordinator took the participant through the component of child protection, and explains the kind of abuse the children may face and its effect on their life and future. He gave dictionary meaning of a child and also what child abuse is. He also explained expressly on the training which was projected on the screen.

Global support for kids initiative executive director, Mr. Opeyemi Olajide Olowookere then called via zoom, he appreciated the participant for their presence, and he also urged them to do the task ahead of them effectively. He furthermore encouraged them that they have a lot to do concerning the welfare of the street children, and the committee should not relent in their work.

The officer in charge of Juvenile Welfare Centre (JWC), Lafenwa Divisional police station, Mrs. Abosede Ajamolya appreciated global support for kids initiative for the training, stating that it will help the committee in performing well in their responsibilities.

Follow the programme up on the link below.

https://thenewsville.com/gsk-organises-train-the-trainers-workshop-for-street-children-committee/

https://cityvoiceng.com/high-rate-of-street-children-is-alarming-says-child-rights-activists/

https://newsnigeria.online/street-children-gsk-initiative-cpn-organise-training-for-welfare-committee-members/