NAN-H-6
Parents
By Awayi Kuje
Lafia, May 28, 2017 (NAN) The Nasarawa State Government has urged parents to ensure proper upbringing of their children in a godly way for a better society.
The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Mary Enwongulu, gave the advice in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Lafia on Sunday.
NAN reports that the theme of 2017 National Children Day celebration was Child Protection and Sustainable Development Goals: Issues and Opportunities.
She urged parents to take proactive measures that would protect children against any form of violence.
`If parents instil moral values on their children and live a life worth of emulation, it will go a long way in bringing peace and the society would be better.
“Children are social gifts and blessing from God and source of joy and stability in families and indeed the community as a whole.
“Let us recommit and rededicate ourselves to ensure their protection and wellbeing in all situations and circumstances.’’
Enwongulu said it was not encouraging that children had become the object of neglect, abuse and exploitation in the face of daunting social, economic and political challenges.
“Equally worrying and disturbing is the fact that adults who ought to protect them from dangers and threats are largely responsible for inflicting misery on them.
“They are responsible for inflicting sorrows, pains, injury and all forms of violence on them”, she said.
Enwongulu, however, said that the state was among the first states to sign the Child Rights Act into law in the country.
She said the state signed the Act into law as far back as 2005 in order to protect the rights of children as well as to protect them against any form of violence.
She also said the ministry would continue to partner non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the fight against child violence.
The commissioner said the ministry would continue to partner with relevant stakeholders to ensure that children enjoyed their rights.
She also emphasised the state government’s commitment to continue to key into good policies and programmes that would have direct impact on the lives of the people of the state and Nigerians at large. (NAN)
AKW/CIA/IEA
Edited by Cecilia Ologunagba/Idahosa Asowata