Centre takes advocacy for rights of children to villagers

By A’isha Biola Raji

Moving through difficult terrain, Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) in line with the activities for 2014 National Child Protection Week, has taken child rights promotion to Kugbobokun, a remote village in Kubwa, under Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC)

Under the theme, ‘Protecting Children is everyone’s business, the Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), in collaboration with NCDC (National Civil Defense Corp) and Nigerian Police Force charged parents in the community to provide basic needs for their wards especially good education.

Educating the villagers with the help of an interpreter, the content of the child right Act which centres on all forms of child abuse, provision of shelter, food and basic education was presented by Barr. Temitope Ogunbono.

In her speech, the representative of NSCDC, Officer Ogechi Obi charged parents in Kugbobokun to provide a graduate in four years as the community has no single graduate since its existence several decades back.

Officer Ogechi also advised parents to report cases of child abuse to law enforcement agencies. She said it is through proper education that development can reach the community.

Also at the event, the representative of police, ASP Alfred Uroko said the role of police in child right protection cannot be over emphasized and that the force would continue its best.

He however warned parents to do their best in bringing children up the right way and to avoid sending them to police stations at every provocation.

Inaugurating child protection committee in the community, the project Officer, Ms Omoera Victoria said the aim of the NGO is to help communities help theirselves and that since inception; the NGO has been supporting over 4000 children across Abuja and Nasarawa state respectively.