Parents, guardians tasked on safety of children, wards

Mrs Theresa Okon, a child education activist, has advised parents and guardians to steer clear of people of doubtful characters or dangerous intentions for the safety of their children and wards.

Okon, who is also a legal practitioner, gave this advice in Abuja.

She said that such a tight security fencing around minors by families would go a long way to reducing the rising cases of child rape, theft and kidnap.

“Prevention is an effective way to protect children from abuses and parents and guardians must ensure that these vulnerable ones are promptly monitored and fenced against dangerous elements in the society,’’ he said.

She said that it was incumbent on the family members to take a special interest in the safety of the young ones.

“Patents must be available for their children and they should also endeavour to monitor the friends they keep at home and in school in order to avert any looming threats.

She also decried the abuse of children, who work as `house helps’, adding that they were also heavily exposed to danger as they had no one to confide in.

Okon also called on relevant stakeholders to increase the campaigns against the menace through sustained advocacy.