President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has given the assurance that his administration would implement policies and programs that would enhance the welfare of Nigerian children, thus providing a solid foundation for tomorrow’s leaders.
Also the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has urged the Federal Government to set aside funds from the oil-windfall for specific child-focus interventions for the Nigerian child, adding that the future of Nigeria depends on the children.
President Yar’Adua said this at the 2008 Children’s Day Celebrations themed “A Nigeria Fit for Children: A Call for Renewal of Commitment” in Abuja yesterday.
The President, who was represented by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar said that Nigerian children constitute the foundation and enduring pillars on which Nigeria’s hopes and aspirations for greatness depend.
Yar'Adua added that Nigeria’s insistence on the rule of law and people oriented leadership is meant to create a conducive environment for Nigerian children so that they can achieve their goals and aspirations.
“Our emphasis on the pre-eminence of the rule of law, insistence on conduct with the highest degree of integrity and uncompromising belief in God-fearing, people oriented leadership, are all geared towards creating the enabling environment for our children to wholly fulfill themselves”.
“My dear children, I make a solemn pledge to you all today that as a concerned parent and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I will provide the requisite leadership necessary to champion your cause and enable you grow to become Nigeria’s pride and drivers of our national transformation.”
The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Saudatu Bungudu on her part called on the 18 states that are yet to pass the Child Rights Act to do so in the best interest of Nigerian children.
According to her, there is a need for public enlightenment for the Nigerian populace, the strengthening of family structures and the enforcement of laws that would safeguard children from and compensate them for the physical, mental and emotional abuse which is becoming rampant in the country.The organization's representative to this year's Children's Day, Dr. Robert Limlim stated this at the nationwide celebrations. "UNICEF believes that children should be st the center of Government's programs and policies. As UNICEF has a global mandate to advocate for the protection of children's rights, we view the passage of the Child's Rights Act as amajor achievement for the realization of children's rights in NIgeria."He described what interventions the FG should embarkon. "However, most indicators underscore that progress is too slow to make Nigeria a fit place for children.Today in Nigeria, millions of children are still undernourished, millions are out of schools and left without adequate health care.
Millions are deprived of their basic rights because of poverty, lack of infrastructure and lack of investment in basic services. Currently, Nigeria contributes 85% of the global burden of the wild Polio virus at a time when polio is being "kicked out" of many countries and eradicated in the world.""I call on all leaders to make efforts to reduce infant, child and maternal mortality because this situation is not acceptable and should not persist.UNICEF is committed to supporting the Federal and State Governments to ensure the realization of child's rights and the implementation of concrete programs,which will address the situation of children and women".
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