Group Leads Anti-Child Abuse Rally in Imo, Calls for Stronger Protection of Children

A human rights organisation, Stand For Humanity Foundation, on Saturday led an awareness rally in Owerri, the Imo State capital, calling for stronger measures to combat child abuse and protect the rights of children across the state.

The campaign, which began at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, attracted lawyers, medical professionals, security agencies, students, journalists, artisans, business owners, children and other stakeholders, who marched through major streets of Owerri to educate residents on the dangers of child abuse and the need to report cases promptly.

Speaking during the rally, the Founder of Stand For Humanity Foundation, Chidiebube Okeoma, said the initiative was prompted by the increasing number of child abuse cases the organisation has handled in recent months.

He cited several cases involving minors, including the alleged abuse of a 12-year-old girl by a 63-year-old man currently remanded at the Owerri Correctional Centre, the alleged abuse of a seven-year-old girl by a 73-year-old suspect in police custody, the alleged maltreatment of a five-year-old girl by her 38-year-old guardian, who is also in custody, and the alleged abuse of a four-year-old girl by a 64-year-old man who has been arraigned in court.

Okeoma said the foundation has strengthened partnerships with the Imo State Police Command, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Imo State Chapter, the Imo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Vulnerable Groups, the Imo State Health Insurance Agency, the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Affairs and other stakeholders to improve child protection and ensure offenders are brought to justice.

The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Audu Garba Bosso, represented by the Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, commended the foundation for bringing together key stakeholders to address child abuse.

Bosso assured residents that the command would continue collaborating with the organisation to investigate reported cases and ensure perpetrators are prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the NBA Owerri Branch and Chairman of its Human Rights Committee, Ekezie Onumajulu, pledged the association's continued support for initiatives aimed at protecting children and defending their rights.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Imo State Chapter, Dr. Bartholomew Echeta, described the campaign as timely, expressing the association's readiness to collaborate with the foundation in tackling child abuse through advocacy, medical intervention and public education.

Executive Secretary of the Imo State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Uche Ewelike, disclosed that the agency had already provided free medical services for some child abuse victims referred by the foundation and promised continued support for survivors.

A consultant paediatrician at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, Dr. Emeka Nwolisa, who served as the resource person for the event, described child abuse as a grave injustice with lasting physical and psychological consequences, urging parents, caregivers and communities to prioritise children's welfare.

Nollywood actor Osinachi Dike, popularly known as Apama, also joined the campaign, calling on residents to work together to protect children from abuse, exploitation and neglect.

The Special Adviser to the Imo State Governor on Youth Affairs, Eric Uwakwe, described the awareness campaign as timely, noting that incidents of child abuse remain a growing concern that requires collective action.

Former Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Ugonna Ozurigbo, who also participated in the rally, assured organisers of his support for efforts aimed at protecting children and strengthening child rights advocacy.

Throughout the march, participants engaged residents on the warning signs of child abuse, encouraged parents and guardians to provide safe environments for children, and urged members of the public to promptly report suspected cases to relevant authorities.

The organisers said the campaign forms part of broader efforts to strengthen child protection systems in Imo State through public awareness, institutional collaboration and improved support for survivors.