……….Reiterates that the soul of a nation is measured by how it treats its children.
First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has joined her Sierra Leonian counterpart and initiator of the resolution on the UN Day, Dr Fatima Madda Bio, and the Angolan First Lady Dr Anas Dias Lorenco to commemorate the first Anniversary of the United Nations Day for the Prevention of, and healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, abuse and violence.
The day, according to Senator Oluremi Tinubu underscores the gravity of the social menace and it is a wake-up call for all nations of the world to bring it to a complete stop.
She described the act as one that defies the very essence of humanity.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every child grows up in an environment that is safe, nurturing, and free from harm”.
“Equally important is the healing from the trauma of abuse. We must support survivors in their journey to recovery. The scars of abuse run deep, but with the right resources, therapy, love, and support, survivors can find the strength to heal and rebuild their lives. Their stories are not just tales of pain; they are stories of resilience, hope, courage and triumph”.
Earlier, the First of Angola, Dr Ana Dias Lourenco emphasized that all African nations must come together to give survivors a voice and a new lease of life.
The Chief Judge of Sierra Leone, Hon Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards assured that the judiciary will bring every perpetrator to justice as there cannot be healing without justice.
There were testimonies by survivors after which the First Ladies of Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Angola presented scholarships to 130 survivors for university education, Vocational training, and start-up business capital to the tune of Le100,000,000.00 (N3.7m) each.
Healing prayers were offered to survivors while there was a celebration song ministration by the Nigerian Gospel act, Sinach.
Statistics have it that one in every four girls and one in every nine boys have been sexually exploited, abused, or violated.
The 18th of November was declared by the United Nations as the World Day for the prevention of, and Healing from Child Sex Exploitation, abuse, and Violence. The day which was initiated by Sierra Leone and co-sponsored by Nigeria in 2021 has as its objectives, to effectively educate and steer action to eliminate the social menace.
SIGNED
Busola Kukoyi
SA Media to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
