Children’s Parliament, Urges Govt to Boost Education, Child Protection Measures
By Adetinuyo Emma
The Speaker of 7th Nigeria’s National Children’s Parliament Hon Progress Umo, has urged the federal government and stakeholders to prioritize substantial investments in education, highlighting the need to implement the Safe School Declaration.
Hon Umo, representing Akwa Ibom State, who made the call at a sitting Organized by Save the Children Nigeria in collaboration with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in Abuja, highlighted areas to include securing the safety of children in and outside schools, addressing child labor, combatting harmful practices like female genital mutilation, tribal markings, and kidnapping.
According to her, the Parliament is committed to working closely with the government, NGOs, and other stakeholders to end these practices, specifically cases like child labor in Calabar’s cocoa factories.
The Children’s Parliament also focused on enforcing the Child Rights Act in every Nigerian state, especially in rural areas. Umo highlighted plans for follow-up meetings with stakeholders and government officials to ensure the Act’s full implementation.
In her submission, Hon Bilkisu Sani, representing Sokoto State, maintained that education is imperative with a secured environment and empowerment of teachers with requisites for effective mentoring of learners.
In support, Hon. Charles Ndokoba from Anambra and Hon. John Elvis from Ebonyi States, urged the government to integrate life skills into curricula, addressing poverty, hunger, and early child marriage.
The Director of Child Development, Andrew Madugu, representing Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Amb. Gabriel Aduda, and Federal Ministry of Education representative Dr. Maria Atta, expressed their commitment to fostering child participation and empowering children to speak on critical issues.
“I urge you, members of this 7th National Children’s Parliament, to make a lasting impact in the remaining period of your tenure by passing resolutions that guide policy actions. With cases of violence against children on the rise, the Ministry continues to conduct various activities to protect and uplift children’s rights.” They assured
Save the Children Nigeria’s Country Director, Duncan Harvey, urged federal and state governments to strengthen child rights by increasing budgetary allocations and enforcing protective policies.
“Children, it is your right to have your voices heard in decisions affecting you. Save the Children provides this platform to ensure your concerns are met with action, Save the Children, as a leading child rights organization, is committed to combating abuse, exploitation, and neglect that threaten children’s futures”.
“We call upon Federal and State governments to prioritize the rights of every Nigerian child by increasing budget allocations and implementing protective policies. Violence against children is preventable, and it requires collaborative action from governments, civil society, and communities. SCI Nigeria remains committed to working with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and other stakeholders to further advance child rights in Nigeria”.
The session, which gathered child parliamentarians, government representatives, and other stakeholders, aimed to address violence against children and formulate a policy framework to be presented at upcoming conferences in Colombia.
