Group tasks govt on Child Rights Act
Chima Azubuike,
Executive Director, Kishimi Shelter and Care Foundation, Mrs Grace Samuel, has urged state actors to domesticate the child rights act, adding that it would protect both child and the parent.
She made this disclosure during the weekend, at the commemoration of 2021 Day of African Child With the theme: 30 years after the adoption of the charter: Accelerate the implementation of agenda 2040 for an African fit for children, organised by Kishimi Shelter and Care Foundation in partnership with Save the Children International (SCI) and funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
Recall that Gombe is one of the 15 states yet to domesticate child right according to National Human Rights Commission.
In separate celebration, which commenced since Wednesday and culminated on Saturday, the children were gathered in 2 local governments of Balanga and Dukku; 250 from Cham, 250 from Talase, 250 from Malala and 250 in Dukku town respectively, where the Reaching and Empowering Adolescents to make Choices for their Health (REACH), project is being implemented.
Speaking in Dukku town, Samuel revealed that the target is to ensure that by 2040 all African countries would have assented necessary instruments geared towards protecting the rights of children.
She said, “The significance of the day is to honour the children who were killed in Soweto in 1976, when they challenged the discrimination regarding Education where the white children where provided better and quality education more than the blacks and this children were killed.
“The day is commemorated to appeal to the conscience of governments, individuals, parents because the problem of the African Child has not changed. It still remains the same. The black child has suffered alot of denial of rights, some are not given basic necessities of life such as education, health and many others.
“We want to use this opportunity to appeal to government to do things for the wellbeing of children.
“The target of 2040 is for all the nations to have a legal document that protects the African child. In Nigeria, the child rights act which the government has passed and yet some states are yet to domesticate like Gombe state.
“We are hoping that by 2040, there should be that legal instrument that protects the child. We are advocating that by child issue should be taken more seriously; they should have a say concerning their lives.”
While allaying the fears that the domestication would empower children into eroding values, Samuel added, “It a no, that children will be rebellious, or take their parents to court.
“That instrument contains the responsibility of parents and talks about the child’s own part. He has his obligation to his parents, while their parents give them their privileges, right support, children are also called upon to give reciprocal support to their parents.
“I wish to call on children to behave themselves, so that our parents can support us all the way. Gender based violence has been on the increase, I wish to call on government to take the issue of Gender based violence seriously, anyone caught, that them face the music.”
Speaking, Emir of Dukku, Alh. Haruna Abdulkadir Rashid II, also appreciated Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Save the children International (SCI) and Kishimi for the great impact the reach project has made in his community.
Rashid who was represented by Alh. Umar Tafida, District Head of Zaune also called on parents to take responsibility of the welfare of their children.
He said, “The cry over loss of moral values is not unconnected with the nonchalant attitude of parents towards their wards.”
Also, Dukku LGA chairman, Hon. Jamilu Shabewa lauded the effort of Save the Children International, Kishimi Shelter and Care Foundation and Global Affairs Canada for the far reaching impact of their efforts in the local government.
Shabewa was represented by Hon. Abdulkadir Abubakar, counsellor representing Waziri south, in his welcome address urged stakeholders to take ownership.
He said, “I wish to call on parents and stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of the 2040 agenda which will be fit for the African child.”
Speaking, Alh. Mohammed Babayo, who is a member of the traditional institution, called on children to make the most of the celebration.
Babayo said, “I want to encourage our children to continue to behave well, while we as parents will continue to work towards the domestication of the law. We promise to take their concerns to the higher level.”
