President Muhammadu Buhari, has called on all states to domesticate and effectively implement the Child Rights Act of 2003 and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, 2015.
He also emphasized the need for the removal of children from the streets and enroll them in schools (both formal and informal); end harmful social norms and practices against children; put a framework in place to ensure children access justice both as victims and as offenders and improve birth registration which is critical for national planning and governance functions as well as serves as a foundation for achieving progress in child protection and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals.
He spoke at the commemoration of the 2022 Nation’s Children’s Day celebration with the theme: is “Strengthening Supportive Systems for the Protection of the Nigerian Child: A Wake-Up Call”.
The President who was represented by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello,said this year’s celebration affords him the opportunity to re-affirm this Administration’s commitment in protecting the rights of all children in accordance with the laws of this country.
He added: “As the future leaders of our great nation, the Government is aware that the welfare and well-being of children is a primary responsibility. As a country, when we look at today’s children, we see tomorrow’s leaders, lawyers, scientists, engineers, teachers, doctors, diplomats, journalists, entrepreneurs, etc. However, for our children to thrive and the country to remain competitive globally, we must support their development and renew public policies that work for them.
“The government of this nation set aside 27th of May each year to rededicate her unalloyed commitment to your total wellbeing and protection as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, the Child Rights Act, 2003, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP Act) 2015 and other International Treaties and Conventions.
“We must have a child-friendly budget for their education, health, protection, and development as our failure to do so will move us towards a failed generation.
“Nigeria as a country has at both international and regional levels, signed charters, treaties, statutes, declarations and other relevant legislations committed to protecting children from violence. These include the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (1990), the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (2000), the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (2000), and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among others”.
