The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is overwhelming throughout the world, both in the developed and developing countries. This has affected normal life and countries are rolling out different strategies to deal with the pandemic. This pandemic has also exposed children to increased risk of violence and other forms of child abuse. This explains why there has been increased cases of child abuse in Nigeria, and Ebonyi in particular, the situation is not different.
My interactions with children from Amikpo and Ngodo communities in Afikpo North LGA of Ebonyi State, between 4th and 7th of May, 2020, revealed that most parents/guardians take undue advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to exploit children. One of the children, Ugochi, 12, told me, “Since we no longer go to school again due to covid-19, all I do is fetch water from the bore-hole every day. I have 6 elder siblings, and I am the youngest. we want the government to take action to stop the spread of Corona so that we can go back to our schools again”. Another child from Ngodo community, Nnenna 13, said her parents don’t maltreat her, but she narrated the ordeal of her friend. “This is farming season and Ogeri goes to farm every day. It was not like this when our school was on. She told me that she does not have time to rest. She is really suffering but I cannot help out.” Ogeri also sees the closure of schools as a denial of her right to education. “I know that children from wealthy homes and those living in the cities do have access to online education. I don’t, and in fact, a greater population of children in Afikpo and Ebonyi State at large, cannot access online studies.” She feels it is unjust.
There are many more children who are going through hell in the State, who are voiceless and powerless, going through excruciating pains due to the covid-19 pandemic. There are orphans and vulnerable children whose stories have not been heard, who are languishing in interior communities. This is a wake-up call to the government, the CSOs and well-meaning individuals to be on alert to fish out the perpetrators and deal with them according to the law. It is our collective responsibility to safeguard the wellbeing of our children, while wading through the murky waters of covid-19.