The Ondo State Government has condemned the increasing cases of baby abandonment in the state, calling on women and young girls to embrace family planning and responsible parenting as measures to prevent unwanted pregnancies and protect vulnerable children.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Bosede Osamaye, made the appeal following the rescue of a newborn baby girl allegedly abandoned in a forest in Oboto community, Ondo East Local Government Area.
According to her, the infant was discovered around 1 a.m. by local hunters and members of a rescue team, who quickly took the baby to a government health facility for urgent medical attention.
She said the child was later handed over to the ministry after the case was formally reported to the Director of Child Development, Mr Tofas Mefun.
Describing the incident as “inhumane and wicked”, Osamaye said abandoning babies exposes innocent children to severe danger, trauma, and possible death.
“We keep warning our girls and women to put an end to the menace of unwanted pregnancies.
”Once you know you are sexually active and you are not ready to properly care for a child, go for family planning. It is free in our hospitals,” she said.
She warned that the state government would not tolerate any act capable of endangering the lives of children.
“If any mother is found abandoning a baby in the forest, the government will not take it lightly.
”Giving birth to a child after nine months and abandoning the baby in the bush is the highest level of wickedness,” the commissioner added.
Osamaye stressed that every child deserves love, protection, and proper care, noting that economic hardship or social pressure should never justify abandonment.
She urged parents and guardians struggling with child care to seek help from government agencies, approved orphanages, and non-governmental organisations rather than exposing babies to danger.
“If you know you cannot take care of a child, instead of abandoning the baby in the forest, bring the child to us. We have facilities and NGOs that can properly take care of such children,” she stated.
The commissioner explained that family planning remains a key tool in reducing unwanted pregnancies, child neglect, and abandonment cases, urging young people and couples to take advantage of available reproductive health services and counselling.
She also assured that the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa remained committed to protecting vulnerable children and ensuring rescued infants receive proper care through state welfare institutions.
Osamaye disclosed that the governor and his wife Esther Aiyedatiwa, had directed that the rescued baby be given full medical attention and welfare support.
Commending the hunters and health officials involved in the rescue, she noted that the baby was found at a time when insects had already begun biting her body.
“You can imagine what would have happened to the baby if she had not been rescued. What if wild animals had attacked her in the forest?” she queried..
She added that the ministry had already commenced arrangements for the child’s medical care and rehabilitation through its social welfare services.
“We have handled similar cases in the past and successfully taken care of such children.
”However, this practice of abandoning babies must stop because it endangers their lives,” she said.
