Child Protection Network Cross River State Visits the Obong of Calabar

A delegation from the Child Protection Network (CPN) in Cross River State visited the Obong of Calabar at his palace located. The purpose of this visit was to address pressing child protection concerns within the community and to strengthen collaborative efforts towards safeguarding children’s rights.



The team was led by Bajie Ayuk, the CPN Legal Adviser, Other notable members included Mr. Kingsley, who served as the Public Relations Officer (PRO), and Bar.Obaji who is a legal officer within the network, Sectary and 2 others. Their combined expertise provided a robust foundation for discussing legal frameworks and advocacy strategies concerning child protection.

Key Discussions

Child Protection Concerns


During the meeting, the Cross Rier State CPN Coordinator, Kebe Ikpi represented by the CPN Legal Adviser Bajie Ayuk, Esq,  articulated various child protection issues affecting children in Cross River State. These concerns included:


Child Abuse: Highlighting instances of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse that children face.

Neglect: Discussing how socio-economic factors contribute to neglect and its long-term effects on children’s development.

Legal Frameworks: Emphasizing the importance of existing laws designed to protect children and how they can be better implemented.

Legal Provisions


Bar. Obaji elaborated on specific provisions of the law that safeguard children’s rights in Nigeria, particularly focusing on:


The Child Rights Act of 2003

The role of local governments in enforcing these laws

Mechanisms for reporting and addressing violations


This segment aimed to educate traditional leaders about their critical role in advocating for children’s rights within their communities.


Ambassadorship Announcement


In recognition of his commitment to child welfare, the Obong of Calabar was appointed as an “End Violence Against Children Ambassador.” This honorary title is intended to empower him to champion initiatives aimed at reducing violence against children in his domain.


Donation of Child Rights Law 


As part of this initiative, a donation consisting of 30 copies of the Child Rights Law of Cross River State was presented to the Obong and his council members. This gesture aims to equip local leaders with knowledge about child rights legislation so they can effectively advocate for its implementation.


Conclusion


The visit concluded with mutual agreements on future collaborations between CPN and traditional leadership in promoting child protection initiatives. The engagement underscored the importance of community involvement in safeguarding children’s rights and highlighted ongoing efforts needed to combat violence against children.

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