An NGO, SOS Children’s Villages, Nigeria, has called on the Ogun State Government to investigate circumstances that led to the death of Ariyo, a student at the Obada Idi-Emi High School in Ogun following corporal punishment.
The National Director, SOS Children’s Villages, Eghosa Erhumwunse, in a statement in Abuja, urged the state government and relevant authorities to deliver justice for Ariyo and enact systemic reforms that prioritise the safety and dignity of every child.
The statement was signed by Mrs Rhoda Daniel-Ocheche, Head of Brand and Communication, SOS Children’s Villages in Nigeria.
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Erhumwunse, said the student, Ariyo had allegedly been ”extremely flogged’ by his teacher as correctional measures.
“We call for urgent action to investigate this outrageous crime against the law as it violates the Ogun state Child’s Right Law which explicitly prohibits any form of assault on children.
“It reinforcies the state’s commitment to protect every child from maltreatment across all settings, including schools yet this horrific incident highlights a serious failure in enforcing these protections.
“This underscores an urgent need for Nigerian states to not only adopt but rigorously implement Child Rights Laws within their jurisdictions.
“The tragic death of Ariyo demands immediate action and accountability from all those responsible.
” School authorities, educators, and the government must fulfill their duty to provide safe, nurturing environments where students are protected and safe.”
Erhumwunse said that corporal punishment and punitive measures that inflicted physical or emotional pain were acts of violence, not discipline, and they directly violated children’s rights,legal obligations, and society’s values.
“We view such acts as an unequivocal aberration that undermines societal values and our legal obligations to protect and nurture our youth.
“Ariyo’s death highlights the urgent need to enforce Nigeria’s robust legal framework on the Child Rights Act(CRA) that opposes all forms of violence against children and mandates protection of their rights and well-being.
“The CRA prioritises the welfare and dignity of every Nigerian child.”
Erhumwunse said according to Section 11, each child has a right to personal dignity, and any form of violence, injury, or abuse is unlawful. Section 221 (a-b).
He said it further stated that there should be protection of children’s dignity by prohibiting corporal punishment and capital punishment, affirming that no child should face such penalties.
“The case of Ariyo is one amongst many others that happen behind closed doors, tragic incidence that go unnoticed, sadly all the states in Nigeria have enacted the child rights law yet atrocities like this go unpunished.
“The VAPP Act strengthens child protections by criminalising all forms of physical abuse, harm, and exploitation against children, underscoring that individuals who perpetrate violence against children must face legal accountability.
“This Act sends a powerful message against justifying violence in the name of discipline. We deeply sympathise with the family of the young boy and we hope that justice be served fairly and timely.
“This incidence must serve as a lesson to schools and families who utilize corporal punishment as means of discipline,”he said
He said the organisation called for a zero-tolerance policy toward violence against children, strengthened oversight of institutions, and a commitment to uphold Nigeria’s national and global pledges to protect children’s rights.
He added that ,”Let us end the cycle of violence and ensure that children everywhere can grow, learn, and thrive in environments free from fear and harm.”
(NAN)
