UNICEF partners JNI to end violence against children

From Mohammed Ibrahim, Kaduna

United Nations Children’s Funds has expressed readiness to partner with the leadership of Jama’atul Nasril Islam, JNI to end violence against children in northern part of the country.
According to UNICEF, JNI as a religious body has a greater role to play in ending violence against innocent children in the region.
UNICEF Coordinator, Violence Against Children, Dr Olasunbo Odebode at the National Conference for Leadership of JNI on ending violence against children held in Kaduna said most abused children suffer in silence.
Violence against children in Nigeria, she explained goes beyond poor, rich, educated or uneducated people.
“‘Violence against Children is everyone’s problems. So,the essence is for you to take the message to the downtrodden in our society.
“As JNI representatives in your communities you are leaders at your own levels because people respect your views and with your support and cooperation we can end violence against children in this country,” she said.
Dr Olasumbo assured JNI leadership that UNICEF was ready to support them in protecting children against all forms of violence.
In his remarks, JNI Secretary General Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu said.
Right of children are sacrosanct as far as the Islamic religion is concerned.
He pointed out acts of violence against children that are prohibited by Islam to include Starvation, excessive punishment, infliction of fear and terror, discrimination and leaving children to the care of house maids or nannies.
“It’s a divine injunction that no child may become the cause of harm to parents by implication the parents should reciprocate and cause no harm either.
“The Quran recognizes very clearly that parents are always immune from over protectiveness or negligence. On the basis of this recognition, it has, established certain guidelines and pointed out certain facts with respect to children,” he said.
Dr Khalid added that children are joys of life as well as sources of pride, seeds of vanity and false security, fountains of distress and temptation.