The Federal Government, in collaboration with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), affirms significant progress in child protection in Nigeria, attributing it to the effective domestication and implementation of the Child Rights Act (CRA).
During a symposium and interactive session with students from various schools in commemoration of the Universal Day of the Child, the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, underscored the government’s commitment to prioritizing children’s rights nationwide.
The event unfolded at the Government Science Technical School in Area 3, Abuja.
Kennedy-Ohanenye emphasized the sustained efforts of the government to ensure children’s access to essentials, education, and protection from abuse and violence.
She urged the youth to recognize the transformative agenda under President Bola Tinubu, assuring them that their rights are now inviolable in the new Nigeria.
Chikodi Onyemerela, UNICEF’s Director of Programmes in Nigeria, reiterated the paramount importance of children’s rights, encompassing quality medical services, education, developmental rights, and protection from various forms of abuse.
Onyemerela stressed that every child’s rights is crucial for Nigeria to nurture individuals who will represent the nation and evolve into responsible adults.
“So our key message for Nigeria is that it’s time for us to recognize the place of children in governance in terms of the resources of this country,” declared the UNICEF official, emphasizing the need for sustained commitment to the well-being and rights of the younger generation.