By Richard Thomas
The Oyo State Coordinator of the Child Protection Network (CPN), Dr. Rosemary Odigbo, has called on stakeholders to prioritize the mental well-being of children, stressing that it is a shared community responsibility that must not be overlooked.
Dr. Odigbo made this appeal on Tuesday in Ibadan during a Capacity Building Training for Lay Counsellors on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Case Management for Children, organized by CPN Oyo State Chapter in collaboration with SOS Children’s Villages, Nigeria.
The event was held at the Local Government Training School Hall, Secretariat, Ibadan.
In her address, Dr. Odigbo emphasized that child protection is a collective responsibility requiring active participation from parents, teachers, community leaders, faith-based organizations, and government agencies.
“We must remove the stigma around seeking help for emotional or psychological issues. Mental health is just as important as physical health, especially for children,” she said.
She explained that the training marks the final project for 2025 under the Family Strengthening collaboration between CPN and SOS Children’s Villages.
According to her, the partnership has reached various communities and schools across Oyo State, focusing on strengthening families, promoting child protection, and supporting children’s psychosocial well-being.
Dr. Odigbo noted that many children across communities silently struggle with emotional and psychological challenges resulting from family instability, abuse, neglect, poverty, and loss.
“While physical needs often get attention, the mental and emotional health of children is frequently overlooked, yet it is a vital part of their total well-being and development,” she said.
She added that the training was designed to equip lay counsellors, teachers, social workers, and community leaders with the skills to identify early signs of distress, provide basic counselling, and ensure proper case management and referrals for children in need of support.
“Through this training, we aim to strengthen community-based response systems and ensure that no child in Oyo State faces mental or emotional distress without help, understanding, or guidance,” she added.
Dr. Odigbo further urged participants to listen with empathy, act with sensitivity, and protect with consistency.
“Children who struggle emotionally don’t just need sympathy; they need safe, trusted adults who can notice, understand, and respond to their pain in a structured and professional way,” she said.
Expressing appreciation to key partners, she commended the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, SOS Children’s Villages, NACA, and other state agencies for their continuous support. She also lauded the dedication of CPN members, describing them as the backbone of child protection work in Oyo State.
“As we close this year’s projects, let us renew our commitment to building an Oyo State where every child, regardless of background, can grow in dignity, live free from fear, and reach their full potential,” she concluded.
Speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Toyin Balogun, represented by Mrs. Christiana Adediran, described the training as a critical step in equipping stakeholders to better support vulnerable children.
“We recognize the importance of collaborative efforts in promoting the rights and protection of children. We are committed to creating a safer, more supportive environment where every child can thrive and reach their full potential,” she said.
She commended organizations and individuals who continue to support children in need, expressing optimism that the training would enhance collective responses to children’s mental health and psychosocial needs.
Also speaking, Dr. Oyeyemi Afolabi, a Consultant Psychiatrist from the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, highlighted the key roles families, schools, and faith-based institutions play in providing psychosocial support.
She stressed the importance of reducing stigma through open dialogue and aligning MHPSS strategies with religious and cultural beliefs.
In his remarks, Mr. Gabriel Adajie, Programme Manager, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to strengthening family and community systems that prioritize child protection and overall well-being. He described the partnership with CPN as a model collaboration for sustainable child welfare interventions.
The programme featured sessions on Community-Based Psychosocial Support, Case Management, and Stakeholder Engagement, among others.
