AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Kwara State Governor, has issued a strong warning that his administration will no longer tolerate child marriage or any form of gender-based violence across the state.
He made this known during a one-day media hangout and advocacy event, where he also directed the strict enforcement of all existing laws safeguarding the rights and dignity of the girl child in Kwara.
Speaking at the capacity-building forum in Ilorin, the state capital, Governor AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the Commissioner for Social Development, Dr. Mariam Nnafatima-Imam, reaffirmed his government’s commitment to implementing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, which has been domesticated in the state.
The event, themed “Safeguarding Our Adolescents at Homes, Schools, and Community to Reach Their Full Potential”, was organised by the Chidimma and Havilah Foundation in partnership with the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
It brought together media professionals, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and other stakeholders to deliberate on ways to protect adolescents from abuse and harmful practices.
Governor AbdulRazaq emphasized that early marriage severely undermines the well-being, health, and future of young girls. “Early marriage is not only a violation of the Child Rights Act but a life-threatening menace that leads to grave complications, such as obstetric fistula, and deprives young girls of their dreams,” he said.
He commended NGOs and advocacy groups for their continued efforts, pledging that his administration would continue to create a safe and enabling environment for adolescents in the state.
Delivering a keynote lecture titled “Empowering the Next Generation: The Media’s Role in Nurturing Safe Environments for Adolescents”, the Kwara State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Alhaji Abdulganiyu Dare, underscored the crucial role of the media in championing the rights of children and adolescents.
He called for robust national mobilisation and grassroots advocacy, emphasizing that media literacy, responsible parenting, and consistent government intervention are essential tools for tackling abuse, neglect, and violence against young Nigerians.
The NOA Director highlighted the power of the media in shaping societal attitudes and creating safer communities for the younger generation. “The media must rise to its responsibility of being a voice for the voiceless and a shield for the vulnerable,” he added.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the NUJ Kwara State Council, Abdullateef Ahmed, raised concerns over the alarming surge in gender-based violence, particularly those enabled by digital technology. He referenced disturbing trends such as ritual-related killings that target young girls, describing them as deeply troubling societal failures.
Also speaking at the event, the founder of the Chidimma and Havilah Foundation, Mr. Tope Omotosho—represented by Miss Havilah Omotosho—expressed the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to empowering vulnerable adolescents, especially girls.
“Our collaboration with the NUJ is aimed at amplifying advocacy and building mass awareness on how to shield adolescents from harm at home, in schools, and within the broader society,” he said.
The forum concluded with a call for unified efforts across all sectors—government, media, civil society, and families—to ensure that every child in Kwara State can grow, learn, and thrive in a safe and supportive environment.