Tag: Nigerian Children

Senate Advocates Policies To Protect Nigerian Children

Senate, Children, Bukola SarakThe Senate has asked the federal and state governments to ensure the full implementation of policies that seek to protect the rights of Nigerian children.

The appeal was made in a resolution read by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Thursday at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly in Abuja, to commemorate the Day of the African Child.

The Senate wants all children to enjoy the legislation of the Universal Basic Education, which provides for the education of all children in the country.

Senator Monsurat Sunmonu from Oyo State moved the motion, hich was supported by her colleagues, including the Leader of the Senate, Mr Ali Ndume.

They said the issues she raised needed urgent actions considering the plight of children in the country, especially those in the northeast.

A Senator from Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Olujimi, also called on the government to redouble its efforts to ensure that Nigerian children get access to quality education and their rights protected.

While members of the Senate may have stated their position on what needs to be done by the federal and state governments, child rights activists believe that protecting the rights of Nigerian children is the duty of all irrespective of class or status.

Niger Govt. Restates Commitment To Child Rights Protection

Child Rights The Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has reiterated the commitment of his administration to the promotion and protection of the rights of every citizen especially the children.

Governor Bello gave the assurance at the 1 2 3 parade ground in Minna to mark the 2016 Children’s Day celebration.

He said that it was the primary responsibility as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of Nigeria and Child Right Act 2007 to protect and promote the rights of the children.

He warned parents and wards against violence against children which comes in many forms and usually causes physical and emotional harm to the growth and development of the child.

The Governor, represented by his deputy, Ahmed Ketso, directed the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to liaise with other relevant agencies to work out modalities so as to fight the scourge of child abuse, abduction and child labour in the state.

The Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Rose Sani, reminded the parents of their responsibilities towards the protection of the rights of the children.

She said that it is the duty of the parents to ensure that children are cared for, protected, free from fear so as to grow in peace.

Mrs Abara urged the children to rededicate themselves to be responsible citizens by respecting their parents, teachers, elders and constituted authorities.

She advised children to shun acts of violence, drugs and other forms of social vices just as they imbibe the spirit of hard work, honesty, patriotism and patience at all times.

Children’s Day: Gov. Udom Goes Tough On Child Abuse

children's day, Gov. Udom, child abuseAs Children in Akwa Ibom State join others across Nigeria to celebrate Children’s day, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has vowed to ensure the prosecution of any individual that sexually molests any child in the state.

Governor Emmanuel gave the warning in Uyo on Friday while addressing thousands of children at the Uyo Township Stadium during an event to mark the day.

Describing education as the key to a great future, Governor Emmanuel gave the assurance that his administration would continue to implement the ongoing free and compulsory education policy and other child friendly policies initiated by the immediate past administration in the state.

He restated his administration’s commitment to policies and programmes that encourage the welfare of children.

The State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Glory Edet, said that the event was a clarion call on individuals and governments at all levels to initiate and support policies that promote the welfare and protection of children.

She spoke against child marriage and other vices against children.

The event featured match past and cultural displays by the children.

Children’s Day: Buhari Promises Better Future For Nigerian Children

Children's Day, Muhammadu Buhari,As Nigeria marks Children’s Day, the President has affirmed his commitment to fulfilling his electoral promises to Nigerians.

The re-assurance is contained in the President’s personal message to Nigerian children on the commemoration of this year’s Children’s Day.

President Muhammadu Buhari said that his administration has already taken some steps toward securing the future of the children, insisting that it is the right of every Nigerian child to have access to quality and affordable education, as well as healthcare and other basic necessities for a good life, in a peaceful and secure environment.

The President noted that it is a thing of joy that on this year’s Children’s Day, the nation can celebrate the safe return of one of the Chibok girls, Amina Ali Nkeki and many other abducted women and children who have been freed from the clutches of Boko Haram.

“We will also sustain and strengthen ongoing actions to protect children more effectively from violence, child-labour, child-trafficking, forced marriages and other related offences.

“In return, I urge you all to imbibe and exhibit in greater measure, the virtues of hard work, diligence, discipline, honesty, prudence, selflessness and patriotism which are essential for the actualisation of our vision of a truly great nation.”

The President says the world now looks up to Nigeria as an exemplary model of democratic ideals after the smooth transition that brought the current administration to power.

Children’s Day is recognized on various dates in many places around the world to honour children globally. In Nigeria the 2016 theme is entitled, “Protect the Rights of the Child In The Face Of Violence and Insecurity: End Child Marriage”

UNIC Urges Nigerian Children To Shun Slavery

UNIC Urges Nigerian Children To Shun SlaveryThe United Nations Information Centres (UNIC) has asked Nigerian children to say no to all forms of slavery.

The UNIC took the campaign to the Southfield Academy in Lagos on Thursday, to mark the Remembrance Day of the Victims of Slavery.

A member of the group tasked the pupils of the school, as well as youngsters in the country live up to any challenge they might come across.

“Those slaves taken from East Africa and transported to India by the colonial masters at that time did not resign to fate. We are saying that even those Africans that were transported to other parts of the world still found a way of making their marks in the lands they were transported to,” he said.

The Executive Director of Africa Anti-Slavery Coalition, Femi Phillips, also highlighted corruption and bad governance as the forms of modern slavery that should be resisted by the populace.

“In this our present generation, we have rulers who do not fear God. That is why we are having these problems of bad governance in Nigeria,” he said.

This year’s remembrance of the slave victims is focused on ‘African Slaves Taken to India’ with the aim of imbibing into the young ones, the resilience and resourcefulness of African slaves.

Jonathan Predicts Great Future For The Nigerian Child

Nigeria’s president, Doctor Goodluck Jonathan, has seized the opportunity of the season’s religious festivities to predict a brighter future for Nigerian children.

The President, joined residents of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, to worship at the Apostolic Faith Church in Jabi, and there he called on Christians to continue to pray for the continuous peace and unity of the country, in the midst of daunting challenges.

He said that despite its diversity, Nigeria has remained as one nation. Therefore citizens need to shun the barriers created by the diversity and embrace togetherness at all times.

The president, who uses the holiday season and yuletide to worship in any church he likes, stressed that if he could make it to the highest place in the land, then no Nigerian child should surfer.

The service, which had all the trappings of end of the year and the festive season, with the traditional over 100-man orchestra, with rich accompaniment of musical instruments, also saw the children presenting a special rendition for Mr President.

The General Overseer, Reverend Emmanuel Adeniran, while noting in his message that the visit of the President on the last Sunday of the year is of great significance, also reminded the congregation that one’s closeness to God matters a lot, above all.

The special guest, while promising to continue to do his best, thanked the church for their prayers and called on Nigerians to join in the prayers while hoping for a better 2014. He shared with the congreation more of his great expectations for Nigerians in the new year, especially the children.