This advocacy visit demonstrates GSK Initiative’s commitment to collaborating with Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Ekiti and Ogun states.
On December 12, 2024 and January 7th, 2025 GSK Initiative staff paid a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state and Abeokuta, Ogun State respectively. The team met with Commandant (Dr.) Paul Seun Sosina and Mrs. Remilekun Ekundayo Adefila and other officers. The primary objective of this visit is an attempt to strengthen the synergy between the organization and the security outfits for the protection of the rights of children in street situation in the two states.
The leaders of both formations gave the team audience and promised they will be ready to work with Global support for Kids Initiative in the areas mentioned as this is part of the goals of NSCDC.
The team also visited the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Ekiti office where we met with the State Coordinator Mr. Oladimeji Samson to discuss protecting the rights of children, more importantly those in street situation when it comes to involving children in jobs hazardous to their health.
GSK Initiative also met with the Honorable commissioner for Education in Ogun State Prof. Abayomi Adelaja Arigbabu, the Permanent Secretaries of the ministry in Ekiti and Ogun states, Mr. Michael Omolayo and Mrs. Oloko Oluwatosin, and the Directors in the Ministry of both states. The Ministry expressed her willingness to collaborate with the organization for the Educational support programs we have had in the past with those children which gave them an insight into the programs and what GSK Initiative is out for.
The Executive Director of GSK Initiative, Mr. Opeyemi Olajide Olowookere in his address approved that the Ministry of Education in Ekiti state should help the organization in selecting 7 prospective JAMB candidates for the forthcoming 2025 Joint Examination forms for students from poor background, and also approved 20 full scholarships each for vulnerable children in Secondary schools in both states.
The team also visited the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development of both states and we met with the Honorable Commissioner Mrs. Olapeju Morenike Babafemi in Ekiti State and Mrs. Adewole the permanent secretary of Ministry of Women Affairs, Ogun State. The Executive Director requested support for shelters to accommodate street connected children and also mentioned the fact that some of those children are actually the bread winners of most of the homes they have come from and that the moment things become difficult for them in the street, then the home front is in trouble.
At the end of the day, the Executive Director of GSK Initiative, Mr. Opeyemi Olajide Olowookere approved that the Ministry of Women Affairs in Ekiti state should help in selecting 10 vulnerable students who have passed their O’ level exams but are planning to sit for JAMB Exams in 2025. The permanent secretary in the Ministry in Ogun state said the government of the day was working on providing shelters for children in street situation in different parts of Ogun state, and that it would materialize soon.
The team also visited Okesha Police Station in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state and Railway Police station Lafenwa, Abeokuta, Ogun state and had robust discussions with the Divisional Police Officers of both stations, Mr. Mustapha Musa and SP usman Adamu, who promised to work hand in hand with our Organization.
