By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
The European Union (EU), Head of Cooperation, Massimo De Luca said plans have been concluded for implementation of child care project in Edo, Borno and Plateau state.
He states this on Tuesday in Abuja, during the k aunch of the European Union-funded project “Strengthening Child Care and Protection Systems in Nigeria.
He said the protection systems in Nigeria, is going to be implemented by SOS Children’s Village, Nigeria, SOS Children’s Village, Norway, Jurado Foundation, and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC.
Similarly, the National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, Eghosa Erhumwunse, said the NGO and other partners are delighted to implement the EU child care project in Edo, Borno and Plateau state.
He added that the program will also be implemented at the National level.
“It is a comprehensive and structured response designed to fortify both state institutions and community-level safety nets for children in need of care and protection. At the heart of this project is the commitment to strengthen the legal and policy frameworks guiding child protection, particularly the Child Rights Law and the Alternative Care Guidelines. “It seeks to build the technical capacity of key ministries, childcare professionals, and service providers to deliver quality care based on best practices and international standards as well as leverage advocacy and community strengthening efforts for effective sustainability.
“Over the course of 36 months, this project will be implemented by SOS Children’s Villages in partnership CISLAC and the Jireh Doo Foundation reaching over 13,500 vulnerable children, support 900 caregivers, and build the capacity of at least 240 childcare professionals directly, 72 Government agencies and many more.”
He further said that the project is poised to impact over one million children and their families across the focus states. “Beyond these numbers lies the true value of this initiative restoring safety, dignity, and hope to children whose rights have been ignored or violated for far too long.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the protection of children is not the sole responsibility of one institution or actor, it is a collective moral imperative. As we unveil this important project today, I ask each of us to renew our individual and institutional commitment to building a Nigeria where every child is protected, respected, and free to thrive.
On his part, The Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), said “we cannot overstate the deplorable state of child protection in Nigeria as children continue to be exposed to different forms of abuses and violation of their rights. In most cases, these abuses and exploitation come mostly from people trusted either by the child or parents or guardians. Sadly, even governments at the federal and state level have been culprits of child rights violation in recent times.
“While it is critically important to ensure the existence of legal and policy measures for the protection of children, the implementation of those provisions is much more important. This has been a missing link with child protection in the country. Therefore, to entrench a functional child protection system, efforts must be geared towards mobilizing critical stakeholders to review the existing measures and strengthen the implementation mechanisms.
“As we work towards the safety and protection of our children, we are very worried about the state of uncontrolled childbearing in Nigeria. This is a danger for the country as it remains a factor for many of the child rights violations in the country. The growing population of children whose parents do not feel the sense of care is the major reason for the growing rate of crime, thuggery and terrorism in Nigeria today. Measures must be taken to ensure the country’s population is a productive population, rather than a wasted population.”
On the impact of the project in Plateau State, Caroline Dafur Panglang, the Commissioner of Women Affairs, said the project can help reduce cases of child trafficking and provide support to vulnerable children.
“The program will provide care and support to orphans and other vulnerable children, helping to address the impact of social unrest.
“By working with local communities, the project can help empower them to protect and care for their children.”
On the level of preparedness, she said Plateau State Government is highly anticipating this partnership and has the strong political will to ensure adequate alternative care and protection for plateau children especially those in the crises areas, “so we are looking forward to working closely with the implementing partners, SOS Children’s Villages, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), and Jireh Doo Foundation, to achieve its objectives.”
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