THE UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND CHILD PROTECTION NETWORK INITIATIVE IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Adequate protection of children is critical to the future of any society especially in the developing economies like Nigeria, where protection culture is hindered by myriads of problems. To enhance child security, UNICEF organised child-focused non-governmental organisations, security and other government agencies into various groups called Child Protection Network (CPN) in 2011. While improved health and education issues have received scholarly attention, physical security of children and the roles expected of the organisation are not sufficiently documented in the literature. The study therefore examined emergence of CPN child protection issues, response skills for children, CPN alternative strategies and challenges facing the network in Oyo State. The Jane Piaget’s Child Development and Max Weber’s Complexity Theories, the Case Study design were employed. The Primary and secondary data were used. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted with selected CPN members working in orphanages, schools, empowerment agencies, street children, child rights organisations, child labour organisations, human trafficking organisations, vulnerable children and narcotics areas. Fifteen Key Informant Interviews were conducted with heads of security agencies and Criminal Justice administration including Nigerian Police Force (4), Nigerian Army (1), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (2), Nigerian Immigration Service (2), Nigerian Correctional Service (2), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (1), Federal Road Safety Corps (1), Chief Judge and Chief Magistrate of the Juvenile court (2). Four FGDs were conducted: three with 12 secondary school children in the most populous school in each senatorial district (Ibadan, Iseyin and Ogbomoso) and one was conducted with other CPN members. Six CPN’s monthly meetings, three school training programmes, one rally and 10 juvenile court sessions were observed. Data collected were content analysed. Despite the existing Child Rights laws in Oyo State, children still need protection against rape, defilement, child trafficking, incidence of street children, kidnapping, child labour, drug trafficking and out of school syndrome. Prospects in empowering children to play vital roles in their own security by acquiring trainings in child protection, child rights knowledge, self-defense, negotiation skills and security consciousness were indicated. The CPN alternative strategies included: child placement, direct interventions in bills payment, counseling, monitoring, organising protests, rallies, media campaigns, teaching parenting skills to the public and conducting school based self-protection training programmes towards comprehensive child security. In spite of their efforts, the CPN still encountered challenges of inadequate funding, regular conflict with the police, lack of formal training among child protectors, lack of borstals, and family courts, second degree abandonment, low level of public awareness, members lukewarm attitudes and community interference in criminal proceedings. The Child Protection Network initiative is impactful, but faces significant hindrances. Its potentials can be better explored with adequate funding, collaborating with security agencies, establishment of borstals and more family courts.