Children
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, May 23, 2018 (NAN) The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development says it is committed to the promotion of the fundamental right of children.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Ifeoma Anagbogu said this at the panel discussion and renewal of leadership of the 6th National Children’s Parliament ahead of the annual children’s day in Abuja.
The theme of the programme is “Creating safe spaces for children, our collective responsibility”.
She said Nigerian children’s parliament had moulded young children to advocate for children’s right across the country.
“In a country, where we are doing the needful to perfect our democracy, participation in the children’s parliament gives children a chance to experience the democratic process first hand and draw their own lesson.
“This not only make them better legislators in their own parliament, but also prepare them as citizens within a democratic society to contribute to the democratic practice in their adult age,” she said.
The Director, Child Development in the Ministry, Mrs Jummai Mohammed said that children’s parliament was serious affair as its inauguration was in fulfillment of the children’s rights as provided for in UN Convention on the right of a child.
She said the children’s parliament offered new skills, build their self-esteem and their opinion could lead to better decision by adults.
The member representing Kaduna Constituency of Children’s Parliament, Miss Mary Emmanuel, said no place was safe for children from the home, school and worship centres.
She called on government to take speedy action to restore the place of children in the country.
“In Kaduna state many children are still not enrolled into school. I blame parents and guardians who prefer giving them out in early marriage or hawking.
“It is painful that in the North like Kaduna state for instance, where primary and secondary school is now free, children are still everywhere hawking during school hours,” she said.
Emmanuel said parents also still gave their children out early in marriage to older men and the result of this “is the chronic health issues like Vesico Virgina Fistula (VVF).’’
Another parliamentarian from Kano state, Maisara Abba, blamed the challenges children face today on religion, saying that religious disparity was growing daily and creating enmity between Nigerians
Meanwhile, the member representing Anambara, Chidubem Ezeaku, called for an overhaul of the justice system and law enforcement agencies and make it accessible to children for them to always speak out. (NAN)
OEO/OIF/GY
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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Grace Yussuf