The foundation which aims to prevent domestic violence, stop child abuse with particular focus on Child Street hawking while also helping the orphans in our midst will be formally launched on Friday, November 20, 2015 at the Civic Centre, Lagos.
The launch is expected to bring together top government functionaries, captains of industries, diplomats and journalists from all walks of life. There will be a morning session which will feature an interactive seminar with Former Super Eagles Player Efan Ekoku speaking on Sports and the Child while a Lagos State Chief Magistrate will speak on Child Rights. There will also be panel of discussants headed by the Nollywood duo of Joke Silva and Monalisa Chinda.
The evening session which will be a Black Tie Event will have Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Edwin Clarke, Sir Fortune Ebie Former Deputy CBN Governor, the First Lady of Lagos State, Her Excellency Mrs Bolanle Patience Ambode, First Lady of Delta state, Her Excellency Dame Edith Okowa, HRM Keagborekuzi 1 Dein of Agbor Kingdom, Former Governor of Delta State Prof. Amos Agbe (SAN), Publisher of Thisday Newspaper Nduka Obaigbena and other dignitaries in attendance. It will also be a time to remember and honour the young girl Sarah Ibikunle who was hit by a stray bullet during a bank robbery in Lekki few months ago. The young Sarah who was hawking smoked fish during the robbery wanted to be a lawyer according to her parents.
Speaking on the event, Genevieve Ikenchukwu, Founder of the Obi Ikenchukwu Foundation (OIF) has this to say: “the whole essence of establishing OIF is to promote the welfare and lifestyle of certain groups of individuals in our society – the orphan child and female victim of violence, with particular reference to under-aged abused girls. Child hawking is also a child rights issue that OIF is passionate about and hopes to continue to advocate until a change becomes imminent in our society. We know the position of the law in this regard. The question however is, whether the said law is effective and/or being implemented? The case of Sarah Ibikunle brings to focus the danger inherent to our children on our streets and the fact that we have failed our children, individually and collectively. This danger to our children on our streets should not be overlooked…”