World Day Against Child Sexual Abuse: Aba North Chairman, Hon. Timothy Iheke Calls for Evidence-Based Policies, Praises Abia First Lady’s Advocacy Initiatives

The Executive Chairman of Aba North Local Government Area, Hon. Timothy Kalu Iheke, has called for stronger evidence-based policies to prevent and combat child sexual exploitation and abuse across Nigeria, stressing that child protection must become a critical governance priority. He made this known on Tuesday during the commemoration of the World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence, themed: “Strengthening the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse through evidence-based policy making.”

Hon. Iheke described child sexual abuse as a “silent national emergency” capable of permanently damaging the mental health, self-confidence, purpose, and future of victims if not decisively tackled.

According to him, child abuse does not only constitute a legal or moral offence but represents “a direct attack on destiny, community development and national continuity.”

He emphasized that evidence-based policy making is needed to create effective, measurable, accountable and long-term solutions. Such policies, he noted, should be driven by accurate data collection, system analysis, community feedback, monitoring tools, and integrated multi-sectoral collaboration involving government agencies, civil society, health professionals, security institutions and educational stakeholders.

While highlighting Abia State’s strides in social protection, the Council Chairman commended the administration of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, for prioritizing human dignity, child rights protection and humanitarian-based governance reforms. He also applauded the role of the Wife of the Governor, Her Excellency Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, for championing several awareness, advocacy and victim-support initiatives aimed at safeguarding children across communities in Abia State.

According to the Chairman, the First Lady’s interventions include enlightenment campaigns against rape, child abuse, trafficking and domestic violence, as well as partnerships with health experts, counselling professionals and security agencies to enhance reporting and rehabilitation processes. He also noted that her programmes encourage responsible parenting, youth education on self-protection, and strengthened support networks for vulnerable children.

Reaffirming Aba North LGA’s commitment, Hon. Iheke announced a series of planned local actions, including community surveillance teams, awareness campaigns in schools, collaboration with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), compulsory sensitisation programmes for youth groups, and a zero-tolerance enforcement mechanism for all forms of child exploitation.

He insisted that perpetrators must not be shielded under cultural excuses, settlement agreements or social influence, stressing that “society must protect children, not reputations.” He further urged parents, teachers, religious institutions, security agencies and community leaders to join hands to stop the escalation of child-focused violence.

Hon. Iheke concluded by describing children as “the most valuable investment of society,” adding that no sustainable development goal can be achieved if the emotional and psychological wellbeing of future leaders is compromised.