A non governmental organization, Mediation Conciliation and Human Right Center (MCHRC) has on Friday enjoined Oyo state government under the leadership of Mr. Seyi Makinde to without waisting more time, open a public register for offenders of child sexual abuse.
MCHRC Founder, Comrade Kehinde Akinyemi made request while addressing journalists at a press conference organized in conjunction with some other NGOs such as Child Growth Concern Initiative (CGCI), Sola Olagunju Foundation (SOF), Kola Daisi Foundation (KDF), Child Protection Network (CPN), Mother and Girl Child Protection Initiative (MAGI), Child Abuse Prevention Initiative (CAPI), Jesus Children Mission Outreach, PARALAG, NASFAT, IICWIN, FOMWAN, Anti Corruption Awareness, CRISALARG, Child Development and Concern Foundation, Safe a Princess, Rest Anchor, Galilie Foundation, Love and Family Foundation, Star Children Initiative, Patriotic Farmers, Chinyemo Global Impact Initiative, Ajikanle Children Home Care, Life Builders, AWON, ACP, NAWOJ, FIDA, Mary’s Place Orphanage Home and Pan African Purpose Driven Women Initiative in commemoration of 2019 international day of the girl child which took place at the ministry of information and culture, Secretariat Ibadan.
Akinyemi who lamented the rate of out of school children put at about 400,000 in the state, maintained opening of the register would serve as a deferent to other people who may have notion of abusing girl child sexually.
Akinyemi while remarking that Ekiti State has taken a bold step by opening the register for offenders, urged the state government to borrow a leave from Ekiti in order to serve as deferent to others.
Akinyemi who flanked with the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun said, “We want the government to support our call for opening of Public Register for Offenders of Child Sexual Abuse Offenders. This register will be in the custody of the ministry of justice, we have a case where a pastor who has been sentenced in Ekiti state. The picture of the pastor is everywhere. We want this kind of register in Oyo state. This will serve as deferent to others.
“In view of the above, we humbly and graciously solicit the kind humanitarian supports from His Excellency Engineer Seyi Makinde in the following areas: To support our call for the establishment and full operation of Family Court in Oyo State. To support our call for full implementation of Child Right Law in Oyo State. To get involved in the establishment of Girl Child Support and Rapid Response Centre for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse in the State. To support our call for opening of Public Register for Offenders of Child Sexual Abuse Offenders. To support our call for recommendation of Capital Punishment for Offenders to serve as deterrent to intending perpetrators.
“To support our call for participation of CGCI and MCHRC in the State Government efforts to Reform, Rehabilitate and Reintegrate the 400,000 Out of School Children in Oyo State.
“Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) in Nigeria has been on the increase and at a very alarming rate. It is disheartening to know that children and adults live with such terror without respite. Despite everyday reportage of the menace in the Print & Electronic Media, there are still many unreported cases. Statistically, 1 out of every 5 girls are sexually abused, 9 out of the sexually abused girls knows and are familiar with their abusers, 80% of the Child Sexual Abuse cases are not reported while in every 2 minutes, a girl child, somewhere is facing the challenge of sexual abuse.
Child Sexual Abuse is a grievous crime against humanity and non reporting of the menace, causes more harm and danger to the society because perpetrator escape justice and indulge in committing much more atrocities to the girl child. Reporting Child Sexual Abuse is the safest way of preventing man