Adeyemi Babarinde Sunday.
No fewer than 600 pupils across four primary schools in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State have benefitted from a comprehensive child protection training aimed at curbing incidences of kidnapping and sexual abuse.
The training, held at ECWA Primary Schools 1-3 in Odo-Ere and UBE Primary School, Ejiba, was organised by the Olugbemisola Daramola Child Care Foundation (ODCCF), and focused on practical safety measures for children in the face of increasing threats.
Mrs Olugbemisola Osagiede-Daramola, Convener of the programme and a seasoned child protection expert, said the initiative was designed to raise awareness among children, many of whom are unaware of the tactics used by kidnappers and sexual predators.
She told newsmen that the children were taught how to respond promptly to danger by shouting, fleeing, and reporting suspicious individuals, especially in the absence of adult supervision.
According to her, emphasis was placed on body safety, with the pupils learning to reject and report inappropriate touches. The children were further encouraged to move in groups after school hours, avoid secluded or bushy areas, and never leave religious or school premises without a trusted adult.
“This training is part of our long-term commitment to child safety and protection in Kogi State. We want every child to know that they have the right to be safe, and they must speak out against any form of abuse,” she said.
The session marks the second phase of ODCCF’s child outreach campaign, following the earlier “Girls Day Out With Aunty Gbemi,” during which 1,500 female students in Yagba West secondary schools were sensitised on the risks of teenage pregnancy.
Mrs Osagiede-Daramola further called on the Kogi State Government to strengthen its child protection mechanisms through collaboration with private foundations and implementation of strict sanctions against offenders.
She also urged the reintegration of out-of-school children into the academic system, proposing the introduction of incentives such as free school meals and textbooks. She stressed that errant parents promoting child labour and early marriage should face legal consequences.
The interactive training included educational songs and visual manuals to enhance retention of the safety strategies.
