President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, Speaker of he House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and some state governors declared yesterday that perpetrators of child rights abuse will henceforth face severe sanctions.

Speaking when he received children of various ages in his office, as part of activities to mark the 2016 Children’s Day, Saraki called for the strict implementation of the Child’s Right Act to guarantee security and safety for the Nigerian child.

He noted that the theme for the 2016 Children’s Day which bordered on protecting children against violence and early marriage were issues that are very dear to the Senate.

He said the Senate would henceforth ensure through its relevant committees that those found to have infringed upon the rights of children will be made to face the law and appropriate sanctions meted out to them.

“I want to first of all reassure you that we believe the future belongs to the children and there is no society that can flourish if the future is not better than the present and for the future of Nigeria to be better than the present, we want all our children to have a greater future and that is our own responsibility”, he said.

On the implementation of the Child’s Rights Act, the Senate President said, “We are going to engage with legislators from the different states to see how those who have passed the Child’s Rights Act can begin to implement them and to make those in the remaining 12 states who have not passed it to understand the need for them to pass it.

“We are going to do a lot of advocacy and consultations and we are hoping to have a kind of conference with all the states, so that the entire 36 states would have the law. Clearly, it is a task before us to ensure that the laws we passed that have to do with the safety of our children are adhered to. We must today as part of the ceremony for this year’s Children’s Day, make a commitment to see that through oversight we ensure the implementation of laws meant to protect our children from abuse and violence.

“I think it is also the responsibility of the supervising ministries to engage us and bring some of these cases of abuse to the attention of the relevant committees so that we can through our oversight function address them.

“No matter what we do in any other aspect of this society, if we cannot achieve the basic things of providing safety for our children then we cannot say that we are one of the top 20 economies in the world. A country does not just achieve that status by GDP measured on the scale decided by economic forces. The quality of the future life for our children is very important,” he said.

We’re Laying Solid Foundation For Better Future For Children – Dogara

On his part, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, assured that the present administration was committed to securing a better and prosperous future for the Nigerian child.

In a statement to mark this year’s children’s day issued by his spokesman, Turaki Hassan, Dogara said more than ever before, the government is working to lay a solid foundation for the socio-economic development of the country.

“A new dawn is here for our nation. The era of hopelessness and despair is gone. Happy times will be here again,” he said.

The speaker assured that the House of Representatives is committed to initiating legislations that will protect the rights of children againts abuse, violence and child labour.

He said time has come that every child should be given free, compulsory and best of education which according to him, is the surest way to a better and prosperous nation.

The Speaker further urged parents to invest in the future of their children by impacting knowledge that will promote their overall wellbeing.

 

Edo To Spend Fresh N3bn On Schools

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has the State Government will spend the sum of N3 billion to build more schools in the state this year, insisting that every Edo child must go to quality schools.

Speaking at this year’s International Children’s Day celebration at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Oshiomhole said the state government had in the past seven and half years devoted resources to rebuild public schools in order to make them attractive and conducive for teaching and learning.

Ayade Enjoins Children Not To Lose Hope In Nigeria

Cross River State governor, Prof Ben Ayade has enjoined children not to lose hope in the country.

Ayade gave the charge while addressing children at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, venue of this year’s event with the theme: “Protect the rights of the child in the face of violence and insecurity: End child marriage.”

His words, “Your future is better. I want to give you words of hope that if I who grew up under similar circumstance as you, and who today is running the affairs of this state, you surely will be first in our consideration.”

Governor Ayade said children must have love for God, respect for parents and be hardworking if they want to be successful.