By DADA AYOKHAI
-
The Edo Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development said it has investigated the trending video of shivering children queuing for food in the rain and found no link to Auchi or any part of the state. Unconfirmed reports point to another African country.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development , Mrs Abdallah Eugenia in a statement , said investigations found no link to Edo, though unconfirmed reports suggested another African country.
She condemned the conditions in the footage as a violation of child protection law and the Child Rights Act.
According to the statement ,” the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development noted with concern a trending video circulating across social media platforms, depicting young children standing in a queue under the rain while waiting to be served food, with one child visibly shivering.,
”Ministry wishes to categorically state that the incident did not occur in Auchi or any part of Edo State. While unconfirmed reports suggest the video may have originated from another African country, there is no evidence linking the occurrence to Edo State.”
The Ministry strongly condemns the distressing conditions under which the children in the video were subjected. Such actions, regardless of where they occur, are in clear violation of child protection principles and the Child Rights Law, which upholds the dignity, safety, and well-being of every child.
The commissioner cautioned against acts that endanger children and warned the public against spreading unverified claims.
She commended Governor Monday Okpebholo and First Lady coordinator Mrs Edesili Okpebholo Anani for their advocacy, and urged residents to report abuse, vowing the ministry will act decisively.
