Odita Sunday 
Ojajuni Champions Girl-Child Rights, Warns Against Child Marriage, Cultism
By Odita Odita
The Ogun State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of the girl child, promoting academic excellence and preventing social vices as part of efforts to safeguard young people across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, psc, FCSS, MNIPR, reiterated the commitment as the command extended its sensitisation campaign to Abeokuta Girls’ Grammar School (AGGS) and Baptist Girls’ College, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, to commemorate the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.
The outreach was organised through the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) and led by its Ogun State Coordinator, ASP Opeyemi Oluborode.
The campaign aligned with the global theme, *“End Child Marriage & Invest in Girls’ Rights,”* and highlighted the police command’s commitment to child protection, youth development and proactive crime prevention.
Speaking on the topic, *“Breaking Boundaries: Shaping the Future of the Girl Child,”* Oluborode addressed students, school administrators and staff on progress in advancing women’s rights, gender equality and access to education.
He emphasised the need to protect girls from child marriage, discrimination, abuse and other harmful practices, drawing attention to applicable legal safeguards, including the Child Rights Act as domesticated in relevant jurisdictions.
Oluborode urged the students to draw inspiration from the achievements of Nigerian women across various professional fields, stressing that gender should not constitute a barrier to excellence.
He identified education, discipline, self-confidence and determination as essential ingredients for personal development and national progress, encouraging the girls to pursue their ambitions with integrity and purpose.
The students were also sensitised to the dangers of cultism, drug abuse, cybercrime, negative peer influence and other social vices capable of jeopardising their education, safety and future aspirations.
They were urged to reject child marriage, speak out against abuse and seek assistance from trusted adults and appropriate authorities whenever their rights or safety were threatened.
In response, the students pledged to shun social vices, resist child marriage, uphold their rights and responsibilities, and remain committed to academic excellence.
The management of both schools commended the Nigeria Police Force for the initiative.
The Principal of Baptist Girls’ College, Mrs Osunbara, and Mrs A. Akeweje, Vice Principal (Administration), who represented the Principal of AGGS, appreciated Ojajuni for prioritising child protection, youth development and proactive engagement with educational institutions.
The senior prefects of both schools also expressed appreciation to the command and assured it of the students’ commitment to the lessons learnt during the sensitisation exercise.
Speaking on the initiative, Ojajuni stressed that protecting children and empowering young people remained important components of effective crime prevention.
He called for sustained collaboration among the police, school authorities, parents, guardians and community leaders to protect children from abuse and exploitation and promote safe learning environments.
The commissioner further urged parents, educators and other stakeholders to remain vigilant, report suspected cases of child abuse and exploitation through appropriate channels, and support initiatives that advance the safety, education and well-being of the girl child.
The Ogun State Police Command assured residents that it would sustain proactive policing, public sensitisation and strategic partnerships to protect vulnerable persons, prevent crime and promote public safety across the state.
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