The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has called for joint efforts to protect children in Nigeria.
Chairperson of NAWOJ FCT, Bassey Ikpang made the call as Nigerian children join other children globally to celebrate Children’s Day 2024.
In a statement, Ikpang tasked parents, civil society organisations (CSOs), school owners, religious bodies and the government to pay proper attention to the protection of the basic rights of children.
Also to ensure that the child’s rights are not trampled, the NAWOJ FCT Chairperson charged stakeholders responsible for every child in the FCT to set the pace for others to follow.
These basic child’s rights, Ikpang stressed include; Right to Freedom of Movement, Right to Dignity of the Child, Right to survival and Development, Right to freedom from discrimination Education, as well as inclusion to decisions making, healthy environment, assess to Medical health Care, Safety in Schools in order to assure them quality life and growth.
The NAWOJ FCT Chairperson in the statement emphasised the need for parents, Care Givers, Schools, Religious bodies, Local Governments, State Governments and the Federal Government to join forces and noted that it is their responsibility to protect every Nigerian child and formulate policies that carry them along and consider their vulnerability, by protecting their basic Rights.
Mrs Ikpang while appreciating the efforts of the Mandate Secretary FCTA Women Affairs and Children Pst Adedayo Benjamins Laniyi since her appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, tasked her to do more for children, especially in ridding the streets of street children, following insecurities in the FCT.
She lamented the increased number of children of school age involved in street hawking, rather than being in school.
The Press Statement was jointly signed by the Chairperson Bassey Ita Ikpang and Secretary Nkiru Okeke.
