Mrs Ohakim Decries Violence Against Children

Wife of Imo State Governor, Mrs Chioma Ohakim, has condemned the rising spate of violence against children just as she called for the eradication of all forms of abuse against children.
She made the call during the 2009 Day of the African Child celebration at the FSP Park, Mbari Owerri, the state capital.
Mrs Ohakim explained that the day was in commemoration of the memory of South African children who in 1976 marched to protest their inferior education and demanded for their right to be taught in their own language, an action the authorities frowned at and killed more than a 100 people while about 100 were left injured.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration, “African Fit for Children: A Call For Accelerated Action Towards Their Survival”, Mrs Ohakim said it was apt, stressing there was need to make Imo State, Nigeria and the African Continent fit for the African child.
She said it was disheartening to note that despite efforts at ensuring a conducive atmosphere for children, some people still abuse children sexually, mentally, physically and otherwise, adding that many children were still being refused good education despite the provision of free education.
Besides, she said Imo State was one of the states that had provided free access to medicare for pregnant women and children below five years of age, provided free surgeries and treatment in conjunction with medical personnel of Imo State extraction among others.
According to her, Imo State boasts of a federal university, a state university, two polytechnics, a College of Education, as well as School of Nursing, all geared towards empowering the Imo Child to have good education and a better tomorrow.
She called on the children to be loyal and law-abiding to their parents, school authorities, and society at large. On her part, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Anagam Ononuju called for an abortion free society, proper nutrition and environmental sanitation, safe drinking water and immunisation against killer diseases, child abuse, child street hawking, enslaving children as house helps and others.