NOA urges parents, traditional leaders to protect rights of children

The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Kaduna Directorate, on Saturday called on parents, traditional and community leaders to ensure that children in their communities are well cared for and their rights protected.

Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdulrasheed, NOA Orientation and Mobilisation Officer, Kaduna South Local Government Area (LGA) made the call during a community dialogue programme aimed at enlightening community members on the effects of meting corporal punishment on children.

“It is wrong for parents or caregivers to detain a child simply because he or she is perceived to be stubborn; this act done against them affects their mental and psychological health.

“It is, therefore, our duty as parents to raise our children with love and care. Hitting a child or inflicting physical pains on the child would not mould him or her into a good child, rather make them more stubborn “, she pointed out.

She disclosed that the agency had conducted the sensitisation programme in eight communities of Kaduna South LGA to ensure that community members buy into the idea and take ownership of the programme.

Earlier, Adamu Musa-Abba, a facilitator from the Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development said that violence done against children had caused many children to break the law.

He explained that children could only be corrected with love and kindness not by harshness or instilling fear in them.

He urged community members to report any case of violence against children to the Social Protection Welfare Officer in their LGA for rehabilitation, reintegration and justice.

Musa-Abba appealed to community members not to send their wards or children who were found in conflict with the law to unauthorised rehabilitation centres where their human rights would be violated.

Meanwhile, Mrs Zulai Muhammad, a participant said she had learnt the proper ways to discipline a child, adding that she would henceforth put it in practice and also enlighten other women on the effects of violence against children.

Another participant, Gambo Haruna commended the NOA and its partners for the programme, adding that she would disseminate the message to those who were not in attendance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was organised by the NOA in collaboration with the Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development.

NAN also reports that the programme was a three-day event which commenced on Dec. 16 and covered 18 communities in Kaduna North and Kaduna South LGAs.

The programme was supported by UNICEF and had “Strengthening community structures to support community rehabilitation, reintegration and justice for children“ as its theme.