Children’s Day: Edo Govt Committed to Creating Safe Spaces for Children, Says Obaseki

 

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the gamut of reforms and initiatives to improve the quality of life of children in the state demonstrates the state government’s commitment to providing spaces for children to fully realise their potential.

Obaseki disclosed this at the 2018 Children's Day celebrations held at the University of Benin Sports Complex, Benin City, on Sunday

Obaseki, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, said the theme for this year's Children's Day celebration, ‘Creating Safe Spaces for Children: Our Collective Responsibility’, is apt and reflects the commitment of the state government towards creating secure environment for the overall development of children and the prosperity of families.

He said the state was committed, more than ever before, to creating safe spaces for children with its aggressive fight against human trafficking, which is one of the greatest crimes against humanity.

According to him, "The setting up of the anti-human trafficking Task Force attests to the fact that government places priority on the issue. On my part, I am committed to protecting the total wellbeing of the Edo child. The office of the state First Lady in 2017 launched the children's version of the Child Rights Law. In 2018, we launched the state’s version of Ending Violence Against Children in Nigeria (EVAC).

Wife of the state governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, who was represented by the deputy governor’s wife, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu, said: "We launched the Betsy Obaseki After School Club and Betsy's Angels Shelter and Training initiatives to provide skills for our secondary school children and give second chance to returnees in the state.”

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Magdalene Ohenhen, said between last year's celebration and this year’s, the state government has initiated policies and engaged in collaborations that have impacted on the wellbeing of the Edo child.

Meanwhile, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), has hailed the Obaseki-led administration for the commitment, innovation and foresight in adopting technology-driven reforms that midwifed the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo BEST) programme.