UNICEF Donates Home Appliances to Lagos Police Command for Children

In line with its commitment to achieve Sustainable Development Goal three for all children, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has donated electrical appliances and other home equipment to the Lagos Police Command Gender Office for the welfare of children in custody across the state. During the donation exercise held at the Lagos State Command Headquarters in Ikeja, Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF Abuja, Mrs. Rocio Aznar, said Lagos State police was in the front line campaign on violence against children in the country.

Appliances donated include: 12 pieces of Panasonic indoor air-conditioner, 12 pieces of Panasonic outdoor airconditioner, three pieces of ceiling fan with blades and 12 pieces of standing airconditioner among the several others still being delivered.

“This comes from the highest order. The President, Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 committed to end violence against children in Nigeria. He launched a national campaign to that effect. All states in Nigeria should follow suit to end violence against children in the country,” she added.

According to Aznar, a national survey on violence against children showed that there were high levels of prevalence of violence against children. “Six out of 10 children in Nigeria suffer various forms of violence before they turn 18. One in four girls suffer sexual violence and one in six boys suffer sexual violence.”

The specialist, who further commended the commitment of the Lagos police and their support for the victims of violence, told journalists it was as a result of their efforts that UNICEF was supporting the command with some equipment. “These items are for those children who are in custody as victims of violence.”

Speaking, the Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohinmi, who was represented by DCP Bolaji Salami of the State Criminal Intelligence Investigation Department (SCIID), appealed to UNICEF Child Protection Centre for more supports for Gender Juvenile welfare.

The CP further appreciated the gesture by UNICEF and assured the representatives that the equipment would be adequately utilised for the benefit of the children.

He further requested that to better care for the vulnerable the state command needed some emergency shelter that could accommodate the children before taking them to the proper homes.