The Oyo State Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other development partners, has intensified efforts to strengthen child protection at the grassroots.
The initiative is aimed at equipping community stakeholders with the knowledge, skills and coordination mechanisms required to prevent and respond effectively to child protection concerns across the state.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Faosat Joke Sanni, stated this at the opening of a five-day training programme on Community-Based Child Protection Structures (CBCPS), organised by the ministry in partnership with UNICEF at the Local Government Staff Training School, Hall B, Secretariat, Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner described child protection as a collective responsibility that goes beyond government, stressing that sustainable results can only be achieved through strong partnerships and active community participation.
She noted that children remain the foundation of every prosperous society, but many continue to face abuse, neglect, exploitation, violence, child labour, trafficking and other harmful practices that threaten their survival and development.
According to her, the establishment and strengthening of Community-Based Child Protection Structures is a strategic step towards making child protection services more accessible, responsive, inclusive and sustainable at the community level.
Alhaja Sanni reaffirmed the commitment of the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration to promoting the welfare, protection and development of women, children and other vulnerable groups through strategic policies, programmes and partnerships.
She also appreciated UNICEF for its sustained technical and financial support, describing the organisation as a dependable partner in advancing children’s rights and building resilient child protection systems in Oyo State.
The Commissioner urged participants to maximise the training by embracing collaboration, sharing experiences and applying the knowledge gained to strengthen community structures, support vulnerable families and ensure timely responses to child protection cases.
She said the ultimate goal was to build a child-friendly Oyo State where every child enjoys safety, dignity, protection and equal opportunities to realise their full potential.
Delivering a lecture titled “Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Understanding Child Protection,” UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, Mr. Denis Onoise, urged participants to intensify efforts to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse while promoting safe and protective environments for children.
Onoise emphasised that safeguarding children is a shared responsibility requiring the active involvement of individuals, institutions and communities. He encouraged participants to put the knowledge acquired during the training into practice.
He explained that Community-Based Child Protection Structures are critical because many child protection concerns first emerge at the grassroots, making early identification, referral and intervention essential.
According to him, UNICEF works with governments and communities by strengthening existing child protection systems and building local capacity rather than replacing government institutions.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Oluyinka Shotonwa Roagess, said the training reflected the shared commitment of government and development partners to ensuring that every child grows up in a safe, nurturing and protective environment.
She explained that the five-day training was designed to deepen participants’ understanding of child protection principles, legal frameworks, safeguarding standards, case identification, referral pathways, community engagement strategies and the roles of Community-Based Child Protection Structures.
Also speaking, the Director of Child Welfare, Mr. Gbemileke Ojerinde, described the training as timely, noting that strong community-based mechanisms are crucial in tackling abuse, neglect, exploitation, violence, trafficking and other threats confronting children.
Participants at the training were drawn from community-based organisations, community leaders, youths, community security stakeholders and other relevant actors, with the programme expected to strengthen collaboration and improve child protection responses across communities in Oyo State.
