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President Muhammadu Buhari has re-echoed the commitment of his government to promoting and protecting the rights of all citizens of the country, including children, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and the Child Rights Act 2007.
Buhari said this yesterday in Abuja in an address at the activities to mark this year’s International Children and Youth Day.While stressing government’s resolve to rescue the abducted Chibok school girls, the President said the recent rescue of Amina Ali Nkeki and Sarah Luka by the military and the Civilian Joint Task Force was a testimony of government’s unwavering resolve to defeat Boko Haram terrorists.“This administration is committed to protecting the rights and privileges of all Nigerian children.
“I challenge all stakeholders to rise up and take a decisive action to stem the unacceptable cases of violence and intimidation against our children,” he said.
The President reminded the children of their responsibilities, which include respect for elders, avoiding drug abuse and other criminal activities.
In the celebration themed: “Protect the rights of the child in the face of violence and insecurity: End child marriage,” Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Jummai Alhassan, said there was the need to draw the attention of government, development partners, Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other duty bearers to continually create awareness on issues of violence against children and child marriage to the populace and further strengthen intervention strategies at all levels.
Alhassan said to end child marriage: “The issue of girl-child education should be given priority attention by all stakeholders.”
She urged that national legislation, along with local mobilisation and mass awareness be combined to end impunity on the part of child violators to curb incidences of violence against children.
UNICEF Country representative, Ms. Jean Gough, reminded the federal government, NGOs, religious groups and the media of their earlier pledges on September 15, last year during the launch of ‘End Violence Against Children’ campaign to end violence against children and called for renewed efforts by all stakeholders to turn the commitments into action.
