By Joy Baba -Yesufu
Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria, represented by County Director Duncan Harvey, has called on both federal and state governments to prioritize, budget for, and ensure the full implementation of the rights and privileges that every Nigerian child is entitled to enjoy.
He made the call in Abuja over the weekend at the closing ceremony of a 2 Day capacity building and sitting of the 7th National Children’s Parliament (NCP) put together by the federal ministry of women affairs and SCI.
Harvey emphasized SCI’s commitment to eliminating various forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violations of children’s rights across Nigeria also highlighting critical issues such as early, child, and forced marriages, child labor, abduction, and school dropout rates, which undermine children’s dignity, potential, and future.
He stressed that these issues contradict the Child Rights Act (2003) and the Child Protection Law, which have been adopted by all State governments in Nigeria.
“In principle, violence against children is preventable, when governments, civil societies, communities, and individuals unite with a shared vision and commitment, children can be protected from all forms of violence, harmful practices, and abuses, enabling them to achieve their full potential.” Harvey asserted.
In his address, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mr. Gabriel Aduda, underscored the ministry’s deliberate efforts to promote children’s rights to participation adding that the importance of involving children in discussions on matters affecting their well-being, as it empowers them to speak out and reduces the culture of silence surrounding sensitive issues.
Aduda, who was represented by the Director, Child Development of the ministry, Mr. Ali Andrew Madugu also said the very exercise of promoting child participation is one of the core principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which asserts that children and young people have the right to freely express their views and that there is an obligation on us as adult and policy makers to listen to children’s views and to facilitate their participation in all matters affecting them in accordance with article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which the Child Rights Act, 2003 upholds.
“The participation of children in decision-making is a core principle of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, it emphasizes children’s rights to freely express their views and obligates policymakers to listen and facilitate their participation in all matters affecting them.” The permanent secretary said.
Rt. Hon. Progress Friday Umoh, Speaker of the 7th National Children’s Parliament (NCP), emphasized the parliament’s resolution to ensure the safety of Nigerian children both in and outside of school.
Umoh pledged to collaborate with governmental and non-governmental organizations to eliminate harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and tribal marks through awareness campaigns in rural areas.
The event concluded with a unified call to action for governments, NGOs, and stakeholders to prioritize children’s rights and protection in Nigeria, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all children to thrive.
