*Receives SLA Foundation’s Outstanding Award
The immediate past member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Wumi Oladeji has tasked members of the 10th assembly in the state on the amendment and implementation of the Child Rights Laws.
Hon. Oladeji said that the necessary amendments and proper implementation of the laws prevent incidents like recent Ibadan Children’s funfair stampede and continuous sexual harassment of young female children by pedophiles.
She gave the charge at the Memorial Lecture and Colloquium held in honour of late Samuel Ladoke Akintola.
The programme, which was held at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, organized by Samuel Ladoke Akintola Foundation on Thursday.
The ex-lawmaker, who is the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Nigerian Safety Investigative Bureau (NSIB), said that the stampede was an unfortunate incident which could have been guided against if the laws that guarantee safety and rights of children are in operation.
Oladeji, therefore, urged the members to visit the Assembly’s archive with the purpose of amending those laws that protect the young female and guarantee the rights of all children in the state.
The NSIB director, who was honoured with an outstanding award for promoting the legacy of the late Premier of the Western region, said that there are several Child Rights Laws that have been domesticated by the previous assemblies in the state.
She added that the 10th assembly only needed to revisit them, amend where necessary for them to meet the present day’s challenges.
Hon. Oladeji disclosed that the identity of the victims of pedophilia actions could as well being taken care of if the Child Rights Laws are in operation; instead they are being exposed on radio and social media platforms.
Justice Ladiran Akintola, who spoke on behalf of the children of late Samuel Ladoke Akintola, charged the students, who are the beneficiaries of the foundation’s gesture, to remain focused in their academics for them to become important personalities in the future.
He Described SLA as a hard working, pragmatic personality and very focused person, who devoted his time to serve the people, not only in the Western region, but the country as a whole.
Justice Ladiran disclosed that late Akintola was a minister in several ministries, and brought development and left many legacy in the Western region.
Admonishing the students to be determined in their studies and imbibe the attributes of good ambassadors of their families, the legal luminary SLA was able to achieve all these not because he was brilliant alone, but because of his dedication and commitment to human development.
In his welcome address, the Chairman and National Coordinator, Samuel Ladoke Akintola Foundation, Mr. Adedokun Adeyemi, said Hon. Wumi Oladeji and three others were considered for the award because of their contributions to immortalizing the legacy of late Samuel Ladoke Akintola.
“She was honoured for her tireless efforts and dedication to preserving the memory and ideals of this visionary leader.”
The event was attended by the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Oloye, former Governor of Oyo State, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, who was represented by Oloye Bisi Ilaka, Dr. Saka Balogun, Sen. Ayoade Adeseun, Oloye Lekan Alabi among others.
