Child rights: When UNICEF, Cobhams, others took campaign to GSS Garki

Students of Government Secondary School (GSS) Garki Festival road, Abuja, yesterday came out in their numbers to welcome the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria team, which was in their school to educate them about their rights as children.
Also, Cobhams Asuquo, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated music icon was on hand to entertain the children and encourage them to be more responsible.
Interestingly to the delight of the students, UNICEF released a song titled; “For Every Child,” aimed at calling for every Nigerian child’s rights to be respected.
The song featured children singing with Niniola, TuBaba, Chidinma, Timi Dakolo, Umar M. Sheriff and Cobhams Asuquo.
The song release comes on the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), celebrated worldwide.
Speaking while addressing the children, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins said, “With this song, we are urging all people to call for every right for every child. Every Nigerian child deserves a fair chance to safe and healthy future and to fulfil their dreams”.
He said Nigeria has achieved a lot and that its children as projected in the song have talents to contribute to the country.
He said CRC creates right for the child to access services, education, healthcare, protection from abuse and violence.
“There are a lot of progress but there are also challenges for children to access micro nutrients to reduce stunting which is physical development between the ages of zero and two. They need to get the right diet, right immunization to prevent them from diseases.”
He added that protection of children across the world against harmful diseases in necessary.
On her part, Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen urged the children to be of good conduct and respect all constituted authorities.
“As leaders of tomorrow, you must be of good conduct and concentrate on your studies. You should study hard and respect your parents and teachers”.
Also speaking, Cobhams, urged the children to work hard in all areas.
“You are talented and you will do better than most of us. It is a good thing that you admire us and our music. But I tell you that if you remain focus you will do great things. You should remain positive and follow your dreams.”
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is a human rights treaty which sets out the civil, political, economic, social, health and cultural rights of children. Nations that ratify this convention are bound to it by international law.