Elegbede Abiodun
The Lagos State Government has commenced the 2026 Safeguarding and Child Protection Week, with a call for stronger action to protect children from abuse and create safe channels for them to report concerns.
The five-day programme, themed “My Silence Ends Here,” began on Monday, September 21, 2026, at the LASUBEB Hall, Maryland, Lagos, and will run through Friday, September 25.
The initiative, being implemented across the state’s six education districts, is expected to engage more than 1,500 children on child safeguarding, protection and awareness, while encouraging them to speak up against abuse.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, stressed the need to create an environment where children can speak about abuse without fear.
She said adults and institutions must take responsibility for listening to children, responding appropriately and acting promptly on concerns raised.
In his goodwill message, the Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), Dr Hakeem Babatunde Shittu, reaffirmed the importance of providing safe and supportive learning environments for children.
Shittu noted that schools have a critical role to play in safeguarding children, urging education stakeholders to remain vigilant and responsive to concerns relating to child abuse and protection.
He commended the initiative for placing child safeguarding at the centre of discussions and called for sustained collaboration among schools, families, communities and relevant institutions to protect children.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, in her keynote address, described child protection as a collective responsibility involving government, schools, parents, communities and other stakeholders.
She encouraged children to speak up whenever they feel unsafe, assuring them that their voices matter and that they should not suffer abuse in silence.
Other goodwill messages at the opening ceremony were delivered by the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary (TG/PS), Education District II, Mr Sanni Layemo; TG/PS, Education District VI, Mrs Mojisola Christiana Yusuff; and Head of Marketing, AXA Mansard, Mr Olusesan Ogunyooye.
The programme forms part of the Lagos State Government’s broader efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence and protect vulnerable persons.
