Lagos Mainland commits funds, backing for Child Diversion Programme

The Lagos Mainland Local Government has pledged financial and institutional support for the Child Diversion Programme aimed at keeping children in conflict with the law out of the conventional criminal justice system.

The initiative, championed by the Bureau of Public Defender in partnership with UNICEF, was presented during a sensitisation programme designed to deepen grassroots acceptance of diversion mechanisms across Lagos State.

Chairman of Lagos Mainland Local Government, Jubril Kolawole Emilagba, said the council welcomes the programme and is prepared to mobilise stakeholders and allocate public funds to ensure its success within the community.

“And we are willing to mobilise stakeholders and financial resources to make the project a success in our community. We would be willing to partner with UNICEF and the Bureau of Public Defender on this project because of its importance and huge benefits especially in helping to educate the pupils and their parents about the programme and its importance.

“It is a welcome programme though there should be more sensitisation. We are ready to sponsor the collaboration but UNICEF and BDP need to be involved because they know more about the programme than us though we are ready to imbibe the message they are passing to our children. It is a very important programme for the community and that is we are committed and ready to spend public fund on the project,” Emilagba stated.

Speaking on behalf of UNICEF, Programme Officer attached to the Bureau of Public Defender, Ms Gloria Odimba, said the diversion model is designed to prevent children who commit minor offences from being remanded in custodial centres alongside adults.

“Children who committed minor offences should take an alternative route away from the criminal justice system to a system that is child friendly. This is the advocacy we bring to your community and local council. We are saying that instead of punishment, the diversion programme looks at rehabilitation and the local council is important in the process if it must succeed,” Odimba said.

Also addressing participants, Director at the Bureau of Public Defender, Mr Olajide Odusanya, stressed that the programme seeks to shield vulnerable minors from the harsh consequences of the traditional justice system.

He noted that children in conflict with the law often come from disadvantaged backgrounds characterised by poverty, neglect, trauma and the absence of support systems.

“Too often, the justice system designed for adults becomes the first responder to issues that fundamentally and socially relate to these children,” Odusanya said.

The diversion programme, stakeholders say, represents a shift from punitive measures to restorative and rehabilitative approaches, placing local councils at the centre of child protection and early intervention efforts across Lagos State.