CEHRAWS Calls for Urgent Action on Child Protection in Abia State as Nigeria Marks World Day for Child Protection Professionals

As Nigeria joins the global community in commemorating the World Day for Child Protection Professionals, the Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) has issued a strong call to action, urging the Abia State Government to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable children, particularly in urban hubs like Aba and Umuahia.

In a statement released on Monday, CEHRAWS paid tribute to frontline child protection workers across the state and country social workers, juvenile justice officials, psychologists, and law enforcement personnel who confront daily the grim realities of child abuse, neglect, trafficking, and exploitation. These professionals, the group noted, continue to work under severe constraints, including limited funding, policy gaps, and inadequate institutional support.

“Abia State faces a growing crisis of street children, many of whom are believed to be victims of trafficking and exploitation,” CEHRAWS said. “These children are often forced into labour, street hawking, and other criminally orchestrated activities, in direct violation of Nigeria’s child protection laws.”

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The organization cited credible reports indicating that children are being trafficked into Abia State for purposes ranging from hawking and domestic servitude to sexual exploitation and unlawful surrogacy schemes. CEHRAWS called attention to existing legal frameworks such as the NAPTIP Act (2015), the Child Rights Act (2003, domesticated in Abia), and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law which provide strong statutory protection but suffer from weak enforcement.

Commendation and a Cautionary Note

CEHRAWS commended Governor Dr. Alex C. Otti for his administration’s visible achievements in infrastructure, environmental sanitation, and economic revitalization. Aba and Umuahia, the organization noted, are now among Nigeria’s most business-friendly and hygienic urban environments.

The group also praised First Lady Mrs. Priscilla Otti for her leadership on child and women-focused programs, especially her work with the Abia State Child Protection Network (CPN) and initiatives aimed at maternal health, gender-based violence prevention, and youth empowerment.

However, CEHRAWS emphasized that “true and sustainable development must include the protection of human capital especially children.”

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A Five-Point Agenda for Reform

To strengthen the state’s child protection systems, CEHRAWS proposed a comprehensive five-point agenda:
1. Establish a Multi-Sectoral Task Force to carry out rescue and rehabilitation campaigns targeting street children.
2. Implement a Statewide Child Protection Action Plan, with measurable goals and budgetary support.
3. Improve coordination among key government agencies, including the Ministry of Women Affairs, State Police, Social Welfare Departments, and NAPTIP.
4. Enforce existing laws rigorously, including prosecution of offenders under Sections 21, 22, 25, and 27 of the NAPTIP Act.
5. Invest in frontline workers, through training, psychological support, and legal protection in the course of their duties.

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A Call to Match Infrastructure with Social Impact

“Abia has made impressive gains in infrastructure,” the organization stated, “but the true test of leadership is whether those gains translate into safety, dignity, and opportunity for the most vulnerable members of society our children.”

As Nigeria reflects on the vital contributions of child protection professionals, CEHRAWS urged all stakeholders government, civil society, and community leaders to turn recognition into responsibility.

“Let this day mark a turning point in Abia’s child protection landscape. No child should be on the streets, in the hands of traffickers, or denied the right to a safe and nurturing environment.”

For more information, contact:
Okoye, Chuka Peter
Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS)
Email: ce*****@***il.com | Tel: +234(0)803-552-9865