Professor Valen Emeka Obinna, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, has called for comprehensive institutional reforms and sustained public awareness campaigns to address child abuse and safeguard the rights and welfare of children.
Obinna made the call while delivering a paper titled “Eradicating Child Abuse Through Institutional Reforms and Public Orientation” at a programme organised at the weekend in Owerri by the Stand For Humanity Foundation, a human rights organisation.
The don expressed concern over the prevalence of child abuse and its devastating effects on the physical, emotional, psychological and social development of children.
He identified physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, educational, social and economic abuse as major forms of violence against children, noting that such abuses could occur in homes, schools, religious institutions and other social environments.
According to him, excessive punishment, neglect, sexual violence, child labour and exploitation are among the practices that threaten children's safety, development and well-being.
The professor, who specialises in languages, literary and international studies, stressed that child abuse should not be regarded as a private family matter, urging parents and caregivers to embrace child-centred approaches to parenting.
He advised parents to prioritise love, patience, guidance and positive role modelling rather than hostility and excessive punishment in raising their children.
“Children need to be taught by adult examples and not punishment,” he said.
Obinna called on families, schools, religious organisations, government agencies, the media and other stakeholders to work collectively towards ensuring that every child has access to adequate nutrition, shelter, education, healthcare and security.
He also advocated sustained public enlightenment campaigns through traditional and social media, schools, churches, hospitals, motor parks and community associations to raise awareness about child protection.
The academic emphasised the need for such campaigns to be conducted in English, Nigerian Pidgin and relevant local languages to ensure that child-protection messages reach people across different communities.
He further recommended the involvement of musicians, filmmakers and advertising practitioners in producing creative content that promotes responsible parenting and highlights the dangers of child abuse.
Obinna also called for stronger collaboration between relevant institutions and organisations, including the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), UNICEF, UNESCO and Amnesty International, to strengthen child-protection efforts and reduce violence against children.
While acknowledging that completely eradicating child abuse could be challenging, the professor maintained that coordinated efforts by individuals, families, institutions and society could significantly reduce its occurrence and protect the younger generation.
In his remarks, the President of the Stand For Humanity Foundation, Chidiebube Okeoma, reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to protecting children and holding perpetrators of child abuse accountable.
Okeoma said the foundation would continue its efforts to tackle child abuse while strengthening partnerships with relevant institutions and stakeholders to improve child-protection mechanisms.
He called for sustained collective action to ensure that children grow up in safe and supportive environments.
Obinna, in turn, urged the foundation to sustain its advocacy efforts and encourage children to participate in educational, recreational, sporting and community activities under appropriate adult supervision.
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