Standing in front of the gathering, Perm Sec. Mrs. Joy Ihensekhien representing the Commissioner, Edo Min. of Women Affairs and Social Dev. Hon. Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah
Perm Sec. Edo State Min. of Women Affairs and Social Dev. Mrs. Joy Ihensekhien presenting the Commissioner, Hon. Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah at the Second Quarter Meeting of the State Child Rights Implementation Committee (SCRIC) in Benin-City.
• Stressed importance of collective action
From our news desk, Benin
The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of children through strengthened collaboration, effective coordination, and sustained implementation of the Child Rights Law.
This commitment was conveyed by the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah in her keynote address at the Second Quarter Meeting of the State Child Rights Implementation Committee (SCRIC), held at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), Benin City.
The Commissioner who was represented at the meeting by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Joy Ihensekhien, emphasized that child protection cannot be achieved by the government alone, but requires the active collaboration of development partners, security agencies, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, communities, families, and other stakeholders.
She expressed appreciation to the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) Programme, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), and SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria for their continued partnership, noting that their support has significantly strengthened child protection interventions and child rights advocacy across Edo State.
The Commissioner stated that the meeting was convened to review the implementation of the Committee’s first-quarter work plan, assess achievements and challenges, and develop practical, result-oriented strategies for the second quarter, while also addressing emerging safeguarding and child protection concerns.
Reaffirming the State Government’s commitment, Hon. Abdallah said Edo State remains resolute in implementing the Child Rights Law to ensure that every child is protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation, violence, and all forms of harmful practices.
She further urged members of the Committee to remain committed to implementing the resolutions reached at the meeting, stressing the importance of collective action in building a safer, more inclusive environment where every child can survive, develop, participate, and thrive.
In their goodwill messages, development partners applauded the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for its leadership in strengthening child protection systems.
The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Ibrahim Musa, represented by Prince Israel Orekha, Executive Director of Connected Advocacy and State Fiscal Point for CISLAC in Edo State, commended the Ministry’s efforts and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting child rights initiatives.
Also speaking, Mr. Innocent Maduekwe, Project Manager (Consortium Lead) for the European Union Project, expressed the organisation’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the Ministry and other stakeholders in advancing child protection and promoting the welfare of children across the state.
Highlights of the meeting included the adoption of the minutes of the previous meeting, a comprehensive review of the Committee’s work plan covering implemented activities, pending tasks and challenges, as well as the adoption of a new work plan for the second quarter.
Members also nominated and constituted the School Monitoring Sub-Committee to strengthen oversight of child protection issues within schools.
A major highlight of the meeting was a presentation by Mr. Omokhodion Imonitie of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) Programme on the Local Child Rights Implementation Committee (LCRIC).
The presentation focused on the roles, functions, composition and importance of the Committee, while emphasizing the need for its inauguration across all local government areas to strengthen grassroots implementation of child rights policies.
The meeting brought together representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), development partners, security agencies, civil society organisations, professional bodies, faith-based organisations, and other key stakeholders, all of whom reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration and advancing child protection initiatives across Edo State.
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