The Centre for Children and Adolescent Mental Health (CCAMH) recently held a workshop at Paul Hendrickse, University College Hospital, Ibadan and many intellectuals took a short break, off their regular beats, to celebrate the African child.   

The theme of the 24^th celebration of the African Child was “25 Years After the Adoption of the African Child Charter: Celebrating our Collective Effort to End Child Marriage in Africa”. The event began 9pm with the accreditation of invited guests and persons from all walks of life. A piano rendition was anchored by Dr Dapo Oyedun who delighted the audience with soulful tunes as they found their rhythm. The event slated for 10 pm finally kicked off eighteen minutes behind schedule with Dr Jibril Abdulmalik and Dr Sola Attoe being the ones who anchored it.

The dedication of June 16 as the day of African children was borne out of the lot of thousands of black school children who met their untimely death on June 16, 1976 in Soweto, South Africa under the apartheid government. The children were brutally murdered on the altar of their protest about the Afrikaan medium decree which made Afrikaan and English as the lingua franca to be used in schools. The deeply rooted segregation in South Africa denied the innocent children their right to learn in their own language. Hundreds of these children fell into the cold hands of death in their prime and many others were killed in the uprising that burst its seams within two weeks.

In honour of the fate borne by these children, the Organisation of African Union, now known as the African Union, earmarked the 16th of June as the day for the celebration of the African child. The commemoration which began in 1991 is being celebrated across Africa and it serves as a day of introspection about the lot and many contemporary issues encountered by the African child.

Honour was given to whom it was due as a young lass named Miss Sharon Jesutofunmi Ajayi rendered the national anthem. The audience felt thrilled with her jauntiness and that indeed brought the event to life. Sequel to this, the Director of the Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CCAMH), Professor Olayinka Omigbodun, delivered her welcome address and showed her appreciation to all those who made the event come to reality. The event, which was a two-some, also marked the valedictory service of the second Cohort graduating students -- Masters in Child and Adolescent Mental health.

Professor Abiola Odejide stood in for the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan as the chairperson,  Other attendees included Dr Lawani from the Department of Dentistry; Dr Samuel Ajayi, a consultant physician; Dr Boladale Mapayi from the University of Ife, among other staff members at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. The guest speakers were Dr Olabisi Oshikanlu, a lecturer from the United States; Dr Cornelius Ani from Imperial College, London, and Professor Olayinka Omigbodun, the Principal Director of CCAMH. After a stimulating introductory speech by the chairman, the event entered another phase as each speaker gave his or her keynote address.

Professor Omigbodun, the last speaker, was arguably the most enchanting as she delivered her keynote address with the acumen of a seasoned teacher. She later used it as an avenue to launch a regional subsidiary of the International Association of Women Mental Health named FOGAW (For girls and women).

Dr Boladale Mapayi from the University of Ife canvassed for collaboration from all stakeholders and implored willing volunteers to lend a voice to the cause of the girl-child and the African woman.

Having fulfilled the requirements of this phase, Professor Omigbodun anchored the presentation of M.Sc CAMH awards to graduating students. This was also followed by the presentation of awards to those graduating students who excelled in the academic courses offered. Awards were presented to a Sierra-Leonean duo, Johnny Edwin and Kuruma Mohammed. Other awardees included Odunguwa Adeola Funmilayo, Bello Majid Abiola and the star of the day, Lasisi Marufah Modupe, who stole the show with the ,number of recognitions she got.

Invited guest speakers, Dr Oshikanlu and Dr Cornelius Ani, were given plaques in honour of their loyalty and support towards the celebration of the African child.

As the event approached the closing stages, students of West Prime Model School, Ibadan performed a playlet. Other schools in attendance were Vale College, Queen of Apostles Secondary Grammar School, Oluyoro, Loyola College, Lead City High School, and Methodist Grammar School, Marella International College, Ibadan International School and Saint Louis Grammar School. An interactive session with school children addressing concerns about mental health was anchored by Dr Ani.  At this exciting juncture, Dr Yetunde Oyeniyi was called upon to deliver the vote of thanks.

Lunch was duly served to all those present and pleasantries were exchanged with much fanfair.