Stakeholders have started strategising on how to work out an agreeable blueprint geared towards the seamless activities of (ARC-P) in the state.
They also called for the sustenance of funding of Ondo Project Advisory Committee (PAC) on At Risk Children Project (ARC-P) to enable it protect vulnerable children in the society.
This was the high point of a communique issued at the end of a 2-day stakeholders engagement workshop on at risk children project organised by Ondo Project Advisory Committee held on Akure, the state capital from 14th – 15th december, 2022.
Ondo Project Advisory Committee (PAC) on At Risk Children Project (ARC-P) to identify the vulnerable children across the State, which include but not limited to: out-of-school children, orphans, children forced into child marriage before age fifteen, children denied of education and young people who continually feel disconnected
The Communique reads, “the State Government should sustain the funding of ARC-P programme and its leadership;
“That the Local Government should ensure availability of under-used structures such as training centers across the LGAs for the targeted children and youths;
“All identified at-risk children should be enrolled to benefit from the programme;
“Local Government should ensure non-discrimination in the selection of beneficiaries and facilitator; and
“Traditional, Religious and Community Leaders should give unflinching support for the success of the ARC-P programme.”
Below is the full text of the Communique;
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A 2-DAY STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGEMENT WORKSHOP ON AT RISK CHILDREN PROJECT ORGANISED BY ONDO PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD AT ROYAL BIRDS HOTELS AND TOWERS FROM 14TH – 15TH DECEMBER, 2022
PREAMBLE
A two-day Stakeholders Engagement Workshop was organized by Ondo Project Advisory Committee (PAC) on At Risk Children Project (ARC-P) to identify the vulnerable children across the State, which include but not limited to: out-of-school children, orphans, children forced into child marriage before age fifteen, children denied of education and young people who continually feel disconnected from the Society, occasioned by lack of care and opportunity for better livelihood, and also, to design an all-embracing, undisputable and agreeable blueprint geared towards the seamless activities of (ARC-P) in the State.
2.0 ATTENDANCE
The workshop at the Opening Ceremony had in attendance, the Governor of the State, ably represented by the Hon. Commissioner for Woman Affairs and Social Development, Dr. (Mrs.) Adebunmi Osadahun, who declared the workshop opened; Her Excellency, Chief (Mrs.) Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, First Lady of Ondo State & Chairman, Project Advisory Committee; HRM (OBA) Joel Sunday Daodu, the Oniyame of Iyame-Akoko; some Local Governments Chairmen in the State, led by Hon. Adurogboye Paul from Akoko South-East Local Government.
Others were Special Adviser on Gender to Mr. Governor and Secretary of PAC, Chief (Hon.) Olamide Falana; Special Adviser on Rural & Community Development, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole; S.A to Mr President, who led the Federal Government PAC Team and facilitators, Mr. Dotun Adebayo; Coordinator of Civil Society Group, Mr. Oloniju; LGAs Gender Desk Officers and other Stakeholders.
3.0 THE FOCUS OF THE WORKSHOP
The objectives of the workshop included the following:
To define and identify who is vulnerable and at risk in the State;
To provide protection and hope for youths and children who are vulnerable in the State;
To create a friendly environment for the vulnerable young adults and children in the society;
To define the vision and mission to achieve in the programme;
To sensitize and build the capacity of stakeholders; and
To facilitate programmes that will ensure the integration of at-risk children and young adults by creating opportunities for skills acquisition and empowerment to reduce their vulnerabilities.
4.0 KEY OBSERVATIONS
Ondo State Government has shown leadership and support for the ARC-P programme;
High numbers of at-risk children in Ondo State needing care;
Weak institutional system to support at-risk children;
High numbers of young adults interested in vocational skills but have no support; and
Availability of under-used Community based structures that can support the developmental needs of at-risk children.
5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
At the end of the 2-day workshop, the following recommendations were unarguably and unanimously made:
The State Government should sustain the funding of ARC-P programme and its leadership;
That the Local Government should ensure availability of under-used structures such as training centers across the LGAs for the targeted children and youths;
All identified at-risk children should be enrolled to benefit from the programme;
Local Government should ensure non-discrimination in the selection of beneficiaries and facilitator; and
Traditional, Religious and Community Leaders should give unflinching support for the success of the ARC-P programme.
