By: Babagana Bukar Wakil, Maiduguri
SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria strongly denounces the tragic death of young Ariyo, a student at Obada Idi-Emi High School in Ogun State, allegedly due to severe corporal punishment inflicted as a disciplinary measure.
This distressing incident starkly reveals the ongoing crisis of violence against children in Nigeria. SOS Children’s Villages views such brutality as a fundamental violation of societal values and a breach of our legal obligations to protect and nurture every child.
Ariyo’s death calls for urgent enforcement of Nigeria’s robust child protection laws. The Child Rights Act (CRA) explicitly opposes violence against children, prioritizing their dignity and well-being.
Section 11 affirms each child’s right to personal dignity, condemning violence, injury, or abuse.
Additionally, Section 221(a-b) prohibits corporal and capital punishment, safeguarding children’s dignity in accordance with international child protection standards.
These legal provisions underscore the harm and long-term psychological impact of corporal punishment.
National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, Eghosa Erhumwunse, expressed deep sorrow, stating, “Ariyo’s case is one among many that happen behind closed doors, with tragic incidents often going unpunished.
While all Nigerian states have enacted child rights laws, abuses continue unchecked. The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act strengthens these protections, criminalizing all forms of physical abuse, harm, and exploitation of children.
Those who perpetrate violence in the guise of discipline must face legal accountability.
We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Ariyo’s family and hope justice will be served swiftly and impartially. This tragedy should stand as a stark reminder to schools and families that corporal punishment has no place in child discipline.”
The Ogun State Government must rigorously investigate this violation of the Child’s Right Law, which explicitly prohibits assault on children and reinforces the commitment to protect children from maltreatment across all settings.
This grievous incident underscores the urgent need for Nigerian states to not only pass but also rigorously enforce Child Rights Laws.
Ariyo’s death demands immediate accountability from all involved. It is the duty of school authorities, educators, and the government to provide safe, nurturing spaces where students are shielded from harm.
Corporal punishment inflicts violence, not discipline, and fundamentally violates children’s rights, our legal frameworks, and societal values.
SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria calls on the Ogun State Government and relevant authorities to deliver justice for Ariyo and pursue systemic reforms that prioritize children’s safety and dignity.
We demand a zero-tolerance policy toward child violence, improved oversight of educational institutions, and an unwavering commitment to uphold Nigeria’s national and international pledges to protect children’s rights.
Let us end the cycle of violence and ensure that children everywhere can grow, learn, and thrive in fear-free, supportive environments.
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