The Advocates for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network (ACVPN) has conducted a community sensitisation outreach in Oshodi Local Government Area of Lagos State as part of activities marking the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The engagement, held at the Development Committee Department (DCD) House within the Oshodi Local Government Secretariat, brought together key community gatekeepers, including representatives of the Community Development Association (CDA) and the Community Development Committee (CDC).
Members of the ACVPN team in attendance included Comrade Toyin Okanlawon, Head of Rescue and Referrals; Comrade Mobola; and Comrade Adefunke Olarenwaju. During the session, the team sensitised community leaders on the organisation’s mandate, activities, and reporting mechanisms, while also sharing ACVPN’s hotline numbers and social media platforms for case reporting.
The participants were educated on ACVPN’s slogan, “See Something, Say Something, Do Something,” which underscores the organisation’s commitment to addressing cases of child abuse and gender-based violence. The team explained that ACVPN is a coalition of state and non-state actors that works in synergy with relevant agencies and security operatives to ensure justice for survivors.
To highlight the prevalence of abuse, ACVPN cited recent cases, including that of Monsuru Karounwi, popularly known as Bobo Karo, who was recently arrested for assault by penetration and charged in court.
Leading the outreach, Comrade Toyin Okanlawon, also known as Oklahgogo, encouraged community members to visit ACVPN offices as service users when necessary, assuring them of justice, support, and mediation where applicable.
He also urged community leaders to be vigilant and proactive in identifying and reporting paedophiles and child abusers, both within and outside family settings, stressing that prevention remains better than cure.
In their responses, community leaders called for stronger collaboration with ACVPN and commended the organisation for its grassroots engagement. A woman leader at the meeting expressed confidence in ACVPN’s work, noting that as a non-governmental organisation, it has demonstrated credibility through the quality of services provided to beneficiaries. She encouraged community members to utilise ACVPN’s hotlines whenever support is needed.
The outreach ended with appreciation for the ACVPN team and renewed commitments to strengthen community-based efforts against child abuse and gender-based violence.
