At least 10 million children have been rendered homeless and exposed to
social vices following their parents’ divorce, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode
said yesterday.
He blamed the development on the prevailing economic challenges, which according to him, have rendered many families helpless.
The governor spoke at the inaugural national conference of Family Court
Judges and Magistrates in Nigeria held at Golden Tulip Hotel, FESTAC
Town, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.
Ambode, represented by his deputy, Dr. Idiat Adebule, urged participants
to look at the Matrimonial Causes Act and align it with the Child
Rights Law when adjudicating on divorce cases.
He said divorce cases were impacting negatively on children, adding that
the outcome could expose them to abuse and neglect which could hinder
their effective development.
Ambode decried the rise in domestic and sexual violence against
children, charging the conference to examine the trend and proffer
solutions.
He said: “Our administration strongly believes in the Child Rights Law
and its provisions because as parents and custodians, we have
inalienable responsibility to ensure that no child is unduly deprived of
the basic necessities of life, including the right to a family name,
love, education, shelter and healthcare.”
Lagos Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, condemned the
increasing cases of child molestation, juvenile delinquency,
paedophilia, rape and domestic violence, despite sustained advocacy and
laws aimed at containing them.
Justice Atilade said the judiciary’s concern for the family’s sanctity
was informed by the need to preserve and protect its members, especially
women and children.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Adeniji Kazeem charged the
conference to focus on asset distribution among estranged couples to
the children benefitted to preserve family values.
Kazeem urged the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) not
to relent in ridding the society of the vice saying: “we must send a
message to those who abuse our women and children that Lagos State
government has a zero tolerance for such perpetrators.”
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