Int’l Children’s Day: Welfare of Nigerian child non-negotiable, say Buhari, Saraki

President Muhammadu Buhari has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the protection and overall welfare of children across the nation.

In a statement made available yesterday on the sidelines of Children’s Day, Buhari said this year’s celebration themed “Creating Safe Spaces for Children: Our Collective Responsibility” is an opportunity to promote the safety and security of the children.The President also stated that it is a day to “reflect on our roles and responsibilities as Parents and Leaders towards our children” and assess how far we have fared in this regard.

“As a responsible Government, we are committed to ensuring that children are protected from violence and exploitation against them, and, that their environments are safe enough for them to pursue their educational attainments, discover their full potentials to grow into responsible citizens.”

President Buhari also recalled his encounter with three children while he was on medical vacation in 2017.

He said he was very impressed by their deeds which in turn strengthened his administration’s resolve to ensure that all children are physically and intellectually prepared for the future.

In the same vein, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki in his goodwill message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, noted that the Children Day gives the country an opportunity to celebrate the young ones and to fully consider the important place they occupy in the heart of the nation.

 He insisted that no Nigerian child should go to bed hungry just as due attention must be paid to their health as part of the vision to make the country stronger.

 Saraki said: “Children are the leaders of tomorrow, our hope for the future. They are the ones we are depending on to take Nigeria to greater heights in the future. We must therefore ensure their health and well-being through the laws we make and the policies we set.

“I therefore call on us all to do our best to ensure that our children can live in liberty and in truth. No Nigerian child should go to bed hungry. Due attention must be  paid to the health of the Nigerian child. This should be part of our vision to ‘Make Nigeria Stronger’. We must invest in the people by first investing in the Nigerian child.

“The 1 percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) for the Basic Health Fund, whose inclusion we as the National Assembly ensured in the 2018 Budget that we have just passed, will ultimately make for healthier Nigerian children, through a massive boost in increased funding for the sector. We are very excited about this.”

 Saraki who added that the safety of the Nigerian child is non-negotiable  therefore  make an unequivocal call for the release of all Nigerian children in captivity.

“We remember Leah Sharibu and the other Dapchi Girls – as well as those Chibok Girls still in captivity, on this symbolic day. We affirm their right to freedom, to live carefree with their loved ones, to go to school, and for their dreams to remain intact.

“We urge all relevant authorities not to relent in the efforts to see that Leah Sharibu and all who are held captive are returned safe and unharmed. We must intensify efforts for the release of our Children, even as we felicitate with the families of all who have been released,” he said.

…KWSG committed to proscribing child labour, abuse

By Adebayo Olodan

The Kwara State Government has once again reiterated its commitment towards enforcing extant laws which proscribe child labour, child abuse and street trading by school age pupils especially during academic calendar.

The Governor of the state, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed stated this yesterday during the 2018 International Children’s Day celebration at the Metropolitan Square, Ilorin, adding that it is the collective responsibility of all to protect children from violence, kidnapping, child abuse, neglect and exploitations.

The Governor who described the children as special gifts from God was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Taibat Ayinde Ahmed at the event.

Speaking on this year’s celebration theme; ‘Creating Safe Spaces for Children: Our Collective Responsibilities.’

The Governor said, “Today’s celebration connotes creation of friendly setting where children feel respected, valued and encouraged to reach their full potentials. This is why I see today’s event as a wake-up call to all and sundry on our collective responsibilities to the future generation of this country.

“It is also important to state that the Children Reception Centre, Gaa Akanbi, FSP Kiddies Centre at Fate road, Ilorin, Creche Centre at the Ministry headquarters, Juvenile Remand Home, Oko-Erin, Amoyo Rehabilitation Centre were all established and maintained by the government in the interest of our children.”

Furthermore, Ahmed said the ministry has been collaborating with other relevant agencies like NAPTIP, Federation of Women Lawyers, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and security agents to win the war against child labour, trafficking and other maltreatment cases in the state.

“All these are clear demonstration of a responsive and responsible government which this administration represents,” the Governor said.

He however charged the children to add values to the society as leaders of tomorrow rather than partaking in social vices such as thuggery and cultism.

The governor also beseeched family heads, teachers, NGOs, community and religious leaders to join hands in complementing government’s efforts in protecting the rights of the children and making the society a better place for them to blossom.

Meanwhile, prizes were given to best three schools during the march past in various categories.

In the Private Secondary Schools category, Omowunmi College, Sango, Socrates College, Aromaradu and Future Leaders Model School, Ojagboro claimed the first, second and third prize in that order. For the Public Secondary Schools, Govt Day Girls Secondary School Pakata went home with the star prize while Govt Day Girls Secondary School, Oko-Erin and Govt Secondary School, Ilorin placed second and third respectively.

Mercy Nursery & Primary School, Setright Nursery & Primary School and Brainchild Nursery & Primary School emerged winners in the Private Primary Schools category.

For the Public Primary Schools, Bishop Smith LGEA School emerged winner, Danialu LGEA School and Abata Babaoyo LGEA School, placed second and third respectively while Police Children School won the top prize in the para-military category.