2017 Children’s Day: We Must Do More For Children’s Right, Devt – Sen Oko
By Ebriku John Friday, Abuja
As children across the world mark Children’s Day on Saturday, May 27, 2017, Senator Rose Oko, has called on Nigerians to do more about the right and development of children.
Oko, who representS Cross River Northern senatorial district in the upper legislative chamber, made the call while identifying with children celebrating their day, and described children as the hope of Nigeria’s continual existence and development.
She said the time has come for the leaders of the country to focus on children’s protection against all forms of abuse and proper upbringing to become an asset for nation building.
She said: “We thank God for another Children’s Day Celebration. God has been very good to our children despite the challenges they face. We as parents also are part of their day and is significant to us.
“Children’s Day gives the children a sense of belonging and to express themselves mentally, socially, spiritually and physically, which is very important for their development.
“As a nation we must do more for the right of children and their development as they grow up. That makes it very cardinal to domesticate the Child Rights Act in the states of the federation, and it will go a long way to reduce the abuse and inhuman treatment children are facing in this country.
“Rape of minors, child marriages, child trafficking, selling of unborn and born babies, child labour, maltreatment and physical assault of children, ritual killings of children, kidnapping children, dumping babies by some mothers on streets and refuse dumps, and other vices will be addressed by the Act. There is no better time than now for the Act to be domesticated through aggressive public awareness campaigns.
“Children’s capacity building and development are key to the continual existence of this country, and should be a priority to us as parents, guardians, political and religious leaders.
“Their education should be adequately given the desired attention to build their capacity and catch them young in various fields for the benefit of their future, family and country.”
She also assured the support and care for the children by the Senate, and promised that their rights and privileges would be protected by relevant laws to give them a meaningful development and success.
