Country Vice-President/National President, FIDA Nigeria Mrs. Inime .I. Aguma has called on the Government, stakeholders and indeed all Nigerians to get into selfless services for the Nigerian Children. She said this would actualize the theme of this year’s Children’s Day celebration which is: Children of Today, our keepers for tomorrow;
Mrs. Aguma who lamented the poor condition of many children in Nigeria said this in her children’s day message.
“Children’s day is indeed a day we promote togetherness, rights, care of children while raising awareness in the country on issues that inhibit children’s welfare. Theme of 2018 children’s day: Children of Today, our keepers for tomorrow; stresses the need for us as adults, parents, guardians and counsellors to raise our children as responsible citizens for the future leadership of our great Country, Nigeria.”
“Reports from FIDA branches, partners, stakeholders and the media across the country show that Nigerian children are still lagging behind in terms of having their basic needs met and their fundamental human rights protected.”
Giving the report of findings on the condition of Children in Nigeria, Mrs. Aguma stated; “In the northern part of Nigeria, a lot of children are out of school as a result of insecurity that has ravaged the region.”
“Reports also have it that a greater number of children suffer sexual exploitation, physical, emotional, verbal and psychological abuse, domestic violence and torture on daily basis, while some are victims of human trafficking. Many children have also been confined in environments where they are engaged in labour too hard for their tender body.”
“We call to mind those children who are daily sent out to the streets to hawk items for sale rather than be in school.”
“On this day, we reach out with our hearts to all parents and guardians who have lost contact with their children and children who have been turned orphans and destitute as a result of mass abduction, child theft, child trafficking, tribal clashes and all forms of insecurity in the country. We remember our Chibok school girls who were abducted over 4 years ago, we remember Leah Sharibu, the only Dapchi school girl still in the custody of the Boko-Haram terrorists.”
“As an organization with a mandate to promote, protect and preserve the rights and welfare of children in Nigeria, the 2018 Children’s day celebration is another opportunity for us to call upon government at national and state levels, whose number one responsibility is to ensure the security of all citizens especially the vulnerable ones as the children to look into the affairs of our children nationwide with a view to addressing the teeming issues that have left Nigeria without a future in its children. Nigeria has enacted the Child’s Rights Act, 2003. We call upon those states that are yet to enact state Laws in line with this Act to do so. Those states that have Child Rights Laws in place must ensure effective implementation. It is upon us as a country (a State) is signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1990 and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, 1999, to ensure that the rights and welfare of our children are realized and adequately catered for, respectively.”
“We call on the Federal Government to intensify efforts in releasing Leah Sharibu, the only Dapchi schoolgirl yet to be released and other Chibok girls still in captivity.”
“As we celebrate, let us correct our wrongs and get into selfless service for our children, that they may fulfill their potential in an environment that is conducive for their growth and development.”
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