The Lagos State Council of The Nigerian Union Of Journalists will kick off its 2025 Annual Press Week on Thursday 28th August, with a powerful national symposium on child abuse.
The keynote address which centers around the theme-“Silent Cries:Uncovering The Deep-Rooted Crises of Child Abuse In Nigeria and The Role of The Media in Breaking The Cycle”, will be delivered by His Eminence, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, Founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Ejigbo.
According to a statement jointly signed by Chapel Chairman Comrade Abraham Akpabio and Planning Committee Chairman Comrade Joshua Uloko, Primate Ayodele’s involvement reflects the growing call for faith-based advocacy in addressing social ills. Known for his outspokenness on justice and humanitarian causes, the Primate is expected to challenge both media professionals and policymakers to act decisively against the growing epidemic of child abuse in the country.
Experts say, that this abuse that is like a national crisis in the shadows comes in different forms -from sexual exploitation and domestic violence to child trafficking, neglect, and harmful cultural practices, which millions of children face daily. They often face these threats from those meant to protect them.
Thus: The Lagos NUJ Press Week 2025 aims not just to raise awareness, but to provide practical solutions, including: Identifying early signs of abuse and promoting timely community intervention, Establishing safe reporting mechanisms for victims, Equipping journalists ito investigate and report abuse cases ethically, Engaging faith and cultural leaders to confront harmful norms, Strengthening child protection laws and ensuring swift justice for offenders.
The event will also feature panel discussions with experts in law, civil society, religious institutions, and traditional leadership. Notable sessions include:
1. “Faith, Culture, and Abuse: When Tradition Fails the Child”
2. “The Legal Disconnect: Are Nigeria’s Child Protection Laws Enough?”
To this effect, The NUJ Lagos Correspondents’ Chapel has extended invitations to journalists, government agencies, civil society organizations, and stakeholders in child welfare to be part of this crucial national conversation.
With Primate Ayodele at the helm, the Chapel is setting the tone for a media-led movement toward a Nigeria where every child is protected, heard, and valued.
Recall that Child abuse in Nigeria has continued to thrive in silence despite the various laws made by the government to contain it. Despite the existence of child protection laws, poor enforcement, societal stigma, and cultural silence have made it difficult to hold perpetrators accountable.
