20 June, 2025
The Kwara State Government has restated its unwavering commitment to improving education, health, and the overall protection of adolescents, especially girls, across the state.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by the Commissioner for Social Development, Dr Mariam Nnafatima Imam, made this known while declaring open a media engagement and policy advocacy forum in Ilorin. The event was organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council, in collaboration with Chidimma and Havilah Foundation.
Dr Imam condemned rising cases of abuse and violence against adolescent girls and called for stronger partnerships between parents, community leaders, and institutions to secure a safe and nurturing environment for young people.
“Every child deserves to grow up in a world where their emotional and physical needs are met without fear or trauma. Parents must take the lead in prioritising the wellbeing of their children,” she said.
Delivering a lecture at the event, former Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Alhaji Hameed Adio, urged a revival of traditional African family values, noting that strong communal mentorship systems once ensured the proper upbringing of younger generations.
Speaking on the media’s role in adolescent protection, Adio encouraged journalists to amplify conversations around child rights and protection. “Media professionals must do more than report; they must drive awareness that leads to social change,” he added.
The State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Alhaji Abdulganiyu Dare, called for deliberate behavioural reorientation across the country. He urged young people to shun social vices like drug abuse and political thuggery, warning that such habits destroy lives and communities.
In his welcome address, NUJ Kwara Chairman, Comrade Ahmed Lanre Abdullateef, reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to gender-sensitive and child-focused reporting. He praised the Chidimma and Havilah Foundation for their dedication to the welfare of adolescent girls.
Miss Adebanke Havilah, the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, reiterated her organisation’s resolve to continue advocating for policies and interventions that protect and empower the girl child. “We must build a system that truly values our adolescents, particularly our girls, by providing them the tools and support they need to thrive,” she said.
Participants at the forum—including media practitioners, security agencies, traditional rulers, civil society representatives, and policymakers—called for the establishment of accountability mechanisms to promote adolescent wellbeing and ensure a more equitable society for young Nigerians.
