By Friday Idachaba
Kogi Non-Governmental Organisations Network (KONGONET) has called on the Kogi government to end all forms of violence against children and commence enforcement of relevant child protection laws in the state.
The Network which made the call on at its 2nd Quarter 2020 Press Statement on Saturday in Lokoja said the state had witnessed tremendous political, Health, Social and Economic issues between April and June, 2020, this year.
Signed by its chairman, Idris Ozovehe Muraina, the statement said that the Network was a coalition of Civil Society Organisations championing the promotion of participatory democracy, good governance and network coordination for the well-being of Kogites.
The Network urged the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to partner with Ministry of Justice to establish Sex Offenders Register in Kogi State.
It commended the Christian missionaries in Iyale, Dekina Local Government Area, for their efforts in setting up school for the physically challenged.
“We encourage the state government to replicate same across the three senatorial districts of the state to cater for the physical and psychological needs of special persons amongst us.”
On Agriculture, KONGONET noted that the Analysis of the 2020 Agriculture Budget by the Public Financing of Agriculture (PFA) Committee with support from PIBCID/ActionAid Nigeria showed a consistent decline in financial allocations over the years.
The Network regretted that lots of activities planned for the year in the 2020 budget were yet to be implemented even With the the rains at advanced stage saying, “This will pose serious challenge for the State in terms of Food Security and well-being of the citizens.”
On Education, the Network said the State Education Sector had been grounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and reiterated the need for introduction of a State Education Policy to guide the sector “now, more than ever.”
It said there must be a true, free basic and quality education for children adding that the state school feeding programme must be scaled up and redesigned for better coverage and result.
“However, we appreciate the ingenuity of the Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology for launching the e-learning program through state owned radio station”, it added.
On security, the network condemned what it called the senseless attack on Nigerian Police Force out post in Isanlu killing eight (8) police officers including the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and three civilians.
It also decried the killing of a well-known business tycoon in the state, Nicholas Ofodile (Chuks Supermarket) by highway robbers as well as the increased reports of rape cases, child abuse/molestations and theft.
The coalition commiserated with the Nigeria Police Force for the loss of its officers and families of the victims who lost their lives in the attack and expressed optimism that the recently launched Community Policing Strategies would address some of the challenges.
(NAN)
