Senator, Remi Tinubu's the Cece Yara foundation, Nigeria’s flagship advocacy
organization in line with its aim and vision to effectively tackle the menace
of child sexual abuse is set to open the doors of its ultra-modern relief and
support centre in Lagos.
In recent times research has shown that the incidence of
child sexual abuse in Nigeria is growing exponentially, statistics precisely
state that one in four girls and one in ten boys experienced sexual violence
before 18. As a response to these alarming figures, the establishment of the
Cece Yara foundation has been a major breakthrough in the fight against child
exploitation and sexual abuse. The Cece Yara foundation believes that childhood
should be a phase of purity and complete innocence, a period when the character
of an individual is formed. The phrase ‘’Cece Yara’’ means ‘’Save the child’’
in Hausa language.
The founder, Mrs Bola Tinubu a lawyer and a staunch advocate
for children believes that the future of every child, regardless of gender,
race or social background, should be preserved. She is undauntedly ready to take
on the fight against sexual abuse amongst children thus her drive and
motivation for establishing and running the NGO.
The Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre provides a warm, safe
and friendly shelter where survivors will be comfortable enough to rise above
whatever experience they have been through. Having taken into cognizance the
major problems which could arise from child sexual abuse, the centre is
equipped with state of the art facilities tailored to assist the psychological
and physical healing process of the survivor with a fully operational 24 hour
hotline ready to cater to those in distress.
The foundation strives to put in place programs and
campaigns aimed at preventing child sexual abuse, raising awareness on the
issue and also giving the children a voice and a support system. The activities
and successes of this organization are laudable and truly encouraging. One of
the foundation’s recent accomplishments was getting justice for a 6 year old
girl who was sexually violated by an adult male. The accused was detained and
charged to court in October 2016. On the 16th of February 2017, the Cece
Yara foundation claimed justice for the victim and the accused was sentenced to
seven years imprisonment without the option of fine.
The Cece Yara foundation played a pivotal role in bringing
the sex offender to book while providing legal support and psychological
healing to the ‘survivor’ and her parents, through its Victim Advocacy Program.
The victory serves as a deterrent to perpetuators of child sexual abuse in the
country and a source of succour to survivors and their families.
The centre will be opened officially to the public on the 19th
of March 2017.
The Child Advocacy
Centre is located at 2A, Akin Ogunmade Davies Street, Gbagada phase 2.
“...Our vision is to create a safe and happy childhood for every
Nigerian child - free from sexual abuse and with easy access to care,
information, protection and emergency intervention.” - Mrs Bola Tinubu
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