Ambode’s wife charges parents, others to create safe environment for children

Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode has charged parents and all relevant stakeholders in child development to create safe environment for children to thrive and exhibit their individual talents.

Mrs Ambode spoke on Sunday at the Lagos State Children’s day party celebrated by the Ministry of Youth and Social Development at Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

The governor’s wife, who was represented by Mrs. Olulade Mojisola, wife of a Lagos lawmaker, added that it was
important for parents and other concerned stakeholders to always provide safe and supportive environment
for children.

She said that the Children’s Day celebration was set aside to remind everyone of the need to care for children on a daily basis to prevent them from being abused.

According to her, there was need for parent to get involved in the activities of their children, teach them the correct information about their private organs, know their movements and be familiar with their friends.

She described a safe and supportive environment as a setting where all children could live socially, emotionally, physically safe and valued.

Mrs Ambode stated that a safe and supportive environment would help the children to develop a positive attitude, saying that if children experience a hostile environment where they did not feel safe, they would develop certain behaviour negative to their lifestyles.

The Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Agboola Dabiri said that children were special and represented love, hence the need to make them happy at all time.

He encouraged parents to pay attention to their children in order to earn their trust.

Agboola reminded parents of the need to continually give children their due, in the form of love, affection and access to opportunities all around them.

According to him, expecting changes in children must start from the home as innocent mistakes in many homes today were a reflection of dysfunctional relationships between parents and children, stressing that parents nowadays expected schools to do all for them.

“It is also crucial for all stakeholders in the society to understand every infringement that constitutes child abuse and be involved in the effort to bring about a change. It is also important for us to support our various child right protection policies in the state and notify the ministry on any form of child abuse we observe in our house or community,” he said.

Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, who was represented by Mrs. Olabisi Boco enjoined parents, caregivers and guardians to ensure that they provided safe places for recreation, leisure, learning and living to the children.

“They must provide a supportive atmosphere where children can freely express themselves, explore the opportunity available and nurture them so as to realise their full potential. It is by so doing that these children can be said to be safe. This will protect them from abuse, violence and insecurity,” she advised.