Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo

As part of efforts to curb child abuse and molestation, Osun State government is set to commence the eradication of child hawking and child labour in the state.
Commissioner for Women, Children and Social Affairs, Olubukola Olaboopo disclosed this while reacting to the rising cases of child molestation and abuse in the state.
While sounding a note of warning to those engaging children in street hawking and labour, she said anyone found guilty would face the full wrath of the law irrespective of their status.
She also restated that government has zero tolerance to rape, child molestation, child labour and other forms of vices that can endanger the lives of children.
Olaboopo who reiterated Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s commitment to the welfare of children in the State described the case of a 6-year-old girl who has been under consistent and flagrant abuse by her foster mother as a gross molestation.
The foster mother who happens to be the stepmother of the child is a police officer serving at the Ojutu station in Osogbo.
Olaboopo explained that the case of the child was reported to the Ministry by well meaning citizens.
According to her “immediately the information reached us we took action, located the address of the house where the incident has been occurring, rescued and took custody of the abused child, she has since been under shelter and care of the State.”
She stressed that in recent times, child abuse cases have been rampant and have become major issues in Nigeria.
She called on government at various levels to pay attention to child abuse, adding that a lot of children are exposed to psychological and emotional abuses which affect their total well being.
Olaboopo emphasized that the way a society treats children is a reflection of what the future holds for such society, hence the need to treat them well with their rights and interests upheld at all times.