The need for all and sundry to collaborate with government at all levels towards ensuring that children are properly nurtured and given the opportunities to achieve their potential for nation building has been established.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Efuwape dropped the hint in Abeokuta, at a workshop for stakeholders on child protection with the theme "Enhancing Child Protection in Ogun", organised by the Ministry in conjunction with a Non-Governmental Organisation, RACO Child and Rural Initiative.

The Commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Melutia Ogunremi said the protection of children remains an issue to which society should attach importance, in order to redirect the attention of children to activities that could impact their lives positively rather than engaging in social vices.

"It is the duty of all stakeholders, government and non-governmental organisations to provide quality education and pay attention to their children, by ensuring that they enjoy good health in achieving their dreams", Efuape stated.

She pointed out that the State government had continued to protect the right of children by paying adequate attention and care to children under her custody in various orphanages with the procurement of state-of-the-art equipment such as computer sets and playing gadgets, adding that the Ministry had inaugurated 72 Family Court Assessors, to enhance juvenile justice administration, as well as resuscitation of the taskforce, to prevent children from roaming the street during school hours.

In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary advised parents to wake up to their responsibilities, at ensuring that their aspirations are achieved, noting that the taskforce on children roaming the street would soon swing into action by arresting parents of offenders.

On his part, the convener of the programme, Pastor Olorunwa   Nwaka said the protection of children could be enhanced through stable family life, conducive shelter, proper feeding, among others, attributing the collapse of the formidable African family system to civilisation, eroded African system among others, which had caused some nefarious activities in the society such as ritual killings, kidnapping and so on.