Children’s Day: Buhari tasks governors, others on out-of-school kids

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on states’ governors and other stakeholders to join hands in rescuing Nigerian children, who are out of school and roaming the streets.

Buhari, who addressed children in Abuja during a march past to mark the Children’s Day, yesterday, said it was worrisome to have some children still very vulnerable.

The President, who was represented by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Muhammad Bello, also urged the governors to work towards the domestication and effective implementation of the Child Rights Act 2003.

He also urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), teachers and other stakeholders to make more commitment toward the protection of children, while resisting any practice proven to be harmful to them. 

Buhari equally implored foreign partners to support the government’s policies and programmes that promote children’s welfare.

He added: “I invite donor agencies and implementing partners across the country to support government’s efforts to strengthen capacities of key stakeholders, including psychosocial support services for children, social welfare and child-friendly justice services that prevent and respond to violence against children, strengthen parental and caregiver support approaches, support the development, coordination and implementation of inter-sectoral intervention programmes such as the national multi-sectoral plan of Action on Nutrition.”

Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, said the government was giving serious attention to issues that affect women and children, as a measure to fortify the family.

Tallen, who was represented by a director in the ministry, Idris Mohammed, also urged all stakeholders to fight vigorously against all forms of injustice that affect women and children.