The government emphasized the importance of fully implementing the CRA while also putting forth recommendations for Nigerian courts to follow when weighing the age, mental capacity, and vulnerability of children involved in a given case.

Represented by Godwin Iheabunike, Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Justice, the Director (Criminal Justice Reform Department), Federal Ministry of Justice, Leticia Ayoola Daniels, made these remarks in Abuja at a workshop to raise awareness of the proposed adjudication guidelines for children and young people who have broken the laws of the FCT.

In order to come up with ideas on what is preventing the Child Rights Act from being fully implemented despite being made public in 2003, the workshop gathered together experts and stakeholders in the justice sector, including various legal institutions in the nation.

The purpose of the gathering was to endorse a draft of Federal Capital Territory adjudication rules for children and young people who have broken the law.

While confirming the Child Rights Act’s tardy implementation, Daniels stated that the suggested adjudication rules would quicken the process.

She added that the suggested rules will provide consistency to judges’ decision-making.

“This document is proposed to create that uniformism in that sector. It wouldn’t be too nice that two judges with the same scenario will come to different conclusions and even if they come up with different conclusions it means there must be some kind of framework to get to that conclusion. 

UNICEF stressed that violence is carried out against one in four Nigerian children and the longer the pandemic goes on, the more intense its impact.

However, UNICEF said children are resilient, talented, and aspire to do great things, stressing that it is the responsibility of the government to give them the platform and encouragement to grow.

UNICEF’s Country Director, Peter Hawkins disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

The statement said, “It has been a challenging year for us all with the COVID-19 pandemic – not least of all, Nigeria’s children – and I want to commend efforts at all levels of Nigerian government and society to protect education, health, and protection services in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children.

“As we rightfully celebrate Nigerian children today, let us also remember that the COVID-19 crisis has been a child rights crisis – in Nigeria and around the world.

“Poverty is rising, inequality is growing, and the pandemic has often disrupted the essential services that secure the health, education and protection of children and young people.

“The longer the pandemic goes on, the more intense the impact on women and children.

“On this Nigerian Children’s Day, let us all agree that we cannot let one crisis compound another.

“The pandemic is threatening decades of progress we have made for children.

“Violence is perpetrated against one in four Nigerian children – and one in three Nigerian girls are sexually abused. This has only increased during the pandemic.

“Today of all days, we must commit to reinforce the protection mechanisms for all children.

“But we have learned from this pandemic too. One thing we have learned is that education takes place not only in schools – children can and should learn both in and out of school.

“A learning continuum is critical so that all children continue to get an education irrespective of their situation, location, or the pandemic.

“Nigerian children are resilient, talented and aspire to do great things. And it is our responsibility to give them the platform and encouragement to do just that.

“We know that protecting children and investing in women and families is not only the right thing to do – it has proven to be a sound economic choice and a cost-effective tool for national development.

“As we celebrate our children today, we must act in their best interests and deploy innovative solutions to fast-track learning and health services to build back better, for every Nigerian child.”