Dare Babalola
The Lagos State Government has responded to concerns raised by social media personality Tacha Akide, defending its efforts to address the issue of minors on the streets.
In a statement via his social media pages, Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab emphasised that advocacy and enforcement must be guided by law, data, and long-term social responsibility, rather than emotions or knee-jerk reactions.
“Advocacy and enforcement cannot be approached with emotion or knee-jerk reactions. They must be guided by law, data, and long-term social responsibility,” Wahab said, setting the tone for the government’s position on the matter.
Wahab acknowledged the reality of poverty and the dangers faced by children on the highways, but argued that intervention is necessary to protect them.
“No one disputes the reality of poverty or the dangers children face on our highways. The presence of minors on major expressways like Lekki–Epe is precisely why intervention is necessary, not why enforcement should be abandoned,” he said.
The commissioner stressed that leaving children to dodge speeding vehicles in the name of compassion is not empathy, but neglect.
“Leaving children to dodge speeding vehicles in the name of compassion is not empathy; it is neglect,” he stated.
Wahab highlighted the state’s efforts to support vulnerable children, including free tuition and WAEC examination fees in public schools, as well as existing technical colleges, vocational centers, and skills-acquisition programs.
“To start with, Lagos State public schools are tuition free with free payment for their WAEC examination. Also, Lagos has existing free technical colleges, vocational centres, and skills-acquisition programmes across the state, many of which teach trades such as shoemaking, fashion, photography, ICT, and creative arts,” the commissioner said.
The commissioner noted that these programs are complemented by initiatives from community leaders, NGOs, and elected officials.
“Beyond government facilities, community leaders, NGOs, religious bodies, and even elected officials across the State routinely organise free training and empowerment programmes,” he added.
Wahab said that while the interventions may not be perfect, it is inaccurate to suggest that nothing is being done to support these children.
He said, “These interventions may not be perfect, but it is inaccurate to suggest that nothing exists.”
The commissioner also outlined the process for handling apprehended minors, stating that they are profiled, and some are returned to their parents, while others are offered free admission to skills-acquisition programs through the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development.
“Each time these kids are apprehended, they are profiled, some are returned to their parents who mostly are not living in Lagos, while others who are interested in learning skills are giving free admission through the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development,” Wahab disclosed.
Addressing Tacha directly, Wahab invited her to collaborate with the government to address the issue, providing contact information for himself and the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development.
“Dear Tacha, beyond social media and like every other person who have partnered with the state, we would be willing to work with you and others alike to contribute to taken kids like this off the street. Kindly reach out to me or the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development @mobolajiogunlende,” he wrote.
