President Muhammadu Buhari, has frowned at child and forced marriage as well as other form of exploitation of children by Nigerians and called for immediate stop to such attitude.
The President who made this call Friday during the National Children’s Day Celebration at the Eagle Square, Abuja, said that there is urgent need for all stakeholders, including parents and communities at all level to protect children against any form of violence.
Buhari who was represented at the occasion by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, said the Federal Government was resolute in its efforts at rescuing all the missing Chibok Girls.
He cited the recent rescue of Amina Ali Nkeki and Sarah Luka all of Chibok, as evidence that government was unwavering in its resolve in that regard.
The President said, no child or indeed any other Nigerian should be put through the brutality of abduction, violence or forced marriage in whatever form, stressing that every girl has a right to education and choice of life.
President Buhari who emphasized the commitment of his administration to protecting the rights of children as enshrined in the Child Rights Act, 2007 as well as in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, said his government would continue to fight the scourge of child abuse, child abduction, child labour and child trafficking among others.
He directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to liaise with other agencies to work out appropriate programmes including actions and measures that would help in tackling violence and abuse against children.
He wished children happy celebration, even as he advised them to be responsible citizens by respecting constituted authorities as well their parents, teachers and elders.
He called on parents to teach their children to live a life of honesty, dedication and love for the country.
In her address, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Jumai Alhassan who was also represented at the occasion by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Hajiya Binta Adamu Bello assured that the government would not leave any stone unturned in protecting the rights of the children. [myad]
