Children’s Day: Imo to send palliatives to orphanage homes

The Imo state government on Monday, said it would be visiting and donating palliatives to orphanage homes, juveniles in correctional centres and other vulnerable groups on May 26.

Commissioner for Gender and Vulnerable Group in Imo state, Mrs. Nkechinyere Ugwu, disclosed this at a news conference.

Ugwu said the visit would be part of the ministry’s activities to mark the 2020 International Children’s Day celebration on May 27.

She said the essence of the visits would be to reassure the orphans at the orphanages and juveniles at the correctional centres in the state that government had not abandoned them.

She said the ministry had braced up against any kind of abuse against the girl-child and vulnerable groups in Imo.

“We will not tolerate harassment of the girl-child in Imo; we will rise to protect their rights at any time.

“International Children’s Day is a day set aside to lay emphasis on the protection of children’s rights.

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“We are also doing our best to encourage girl-child education and to discourage all forms of abuse and molestation against the girl-child,’’ the commissioner said.

She urged parents to ensure that the girl-child was given early orientation on what constituted abuse to them, while also advising children against negative relationships.

Ugwu however, noted that the celebration would be partly affected by the global coronavirus pandemic.

“The coronavirus pandemic will make it impossible to observe all normal activities that require physical contact.

“We will ensure that all the NCDC guidelines on COVID 19 are strictly observed during the event,’’ the commissioner added.