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Girl-Child’s Rights Protection: WACSOF Advocacy Women Empowerment

Published

6 years ago

April 29, 2019

Girl-Child’s Rights Protection: WACSOF Advocacy Women Empowerment

Joel Ajayi

At the weekend, members of the West African Civil Society Forum WACSOF came together in Nigeria’s Capital Territory, Abuja to embark on advocacy on the application of child’s right protection policy that will equip every girl child within the member states which they said would drive the socio-economic development of the region.

15 countries with over 35 participants in the region gathered to create more awareness and regional capacity building on Girl’s rights protection advocacy.

The General Secretary of WACSOF, Komlan Messie while speaking on Saturday at 2-day event said that only way to protect the girl child rights is through proper education and empowerment.

He identified the right of survival, the right of development, right of protection and right of participation as the pillar of every girl child as a tool to safeguard against all forms of abuse neglect and exploitation.

“Recently, ECOWAS adopt child policy and it is important to understand that that policy has four pillars which right of survival, the right of development, right of protection and right of participation, those are the four pillar and we are going to talk about and see how we can better the situation in our region to have peaceful countries and well developed regions.

“In every single ECOWAS countries, at a different level, they have child policy at a different level of development but this ECOWAS child the right policy is to harmonize the view of what child rights protection should be in our region.

‘So, in our different countries, there are many forces, the traditional, stakeholders, religious leaders, civil society among others but what civil society is doing is to have a strategy and advocacy t0 all member states to ensure that that policy, those laws are applied.

“WACSOF as a whole has a role of education to ensure that all those laws are well implemented and disseminated in our region, diligently in our country, in order to make citizens aware of their right and hold the government accountable for the application of those policies so, that citizen can be well equipped.

On his own, the Acting chairman of WACSOF Sierra Leone, Mr Willian Sao-Lamin commended the initiatives: “I think it’s very timely, most especially for my country, Sierra Leone where there is so much abuse rape is an increase gender-based violence is on the increase

“And the government of Sierra Leone is very determined to ensure that the miserable gender-based violence is kicked away from Sierra Leone, he just pronounced a state of emergency on gender-based violence and protection of girl child right in the country and parliament is also trying to pass that bill into law. So, the political will is there and civil is not relenting.

“You can imagine a 50 years old man just rape 6 months old girl, it so terrible and this is happening on a daily basis. We are going to fight it.

Speaking on the important of WACSOF to fight the battle in ECOWAS: he said that civil society remains the biggest organization in the sub-region and whatever that are doing will no doubt have a positive impact on every member states.” He said

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

5 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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