What children want as they mark their day

The celebration of children’s day started in 1979 when the United Nations first celebrated the International Day of the Child, and resolved that member nations set aside a special day to celebrate children annually to ensure that they renew their commitments and responsibilities to children.Nigeria then chose May 27th to give children in the country […]

The celebration of children’s day started in 1979 when the United Nations first celebrated the International Day of the Child, and resolved that member nations set aside a special day to celebrate children annually to ensure that they renew their commitments and responsibilities to children.
Nigeria then chose May 27th to give children in the country recognition with special events, and also offer them opportunity to make their needs known to government.
As the children celebrated their day two days ago, The Home Front spoke to some of them on the challenges they face and how they can be tackled particularly the issue of violence against children.
Clarence Iyere Okuji, a Junior Secondary School (JSS) student of  Banky’s Private school, Abuja  said most children lack education and illiteracy needs to be eradicated from them. “So the government needs to put in place free education and employ good teachers,” he said.
He said children are also being oppressed and violated in the country and they need to be encouraged to report to the appropriate authorities instead of  “keeping quiet or being afraid,” he said.
Busayo Abass, a primary six pupil of  Toddlers Haven and Junior Heights primary School said the major problem children face in the country is lack of security and protection from violence is the most important thing they need. She said mothers should also be more vigilant in looking after their children and not leaving  them to roam the streets.
Mosonma  Okereke of Anglican Girls Grammar School said violence against children can be caused by lack of awareness.
 “So I think awareness should be created in the minds of children such as organising seminars for them so that they know that it is their right to fight against every form of violence against them . They should also be enlightened and encouraged to fight it,” she said.
She said those who perpetrate violence against children should be severely dealt with according to the law , and not allowed to go scot free.
During the press conference organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to mark the day, Nigerian children in their resolutions to mark the day read by Representative of the Nigerian Children’s Parliament, Aisha Ibrahim called on lawmakers at federal and state levels to strengthen existing regulations that protects Nigerian children.
They also called on government security agencies to implement policies to adopt posting of officers to all schools in Nigeria to safeguard school children and prevent the re-occurrence of  the Chibok incidence.
According to the children, there are so many International Treaties on Violence Against Children in which Nigeria is a signatory to, yet children are victims of violence in the country.
“ The Boko Haram menace has added yet another layer of misery to the violence Nigerian children suffer daily which negates international agreements, charters and treaties as domesticated in accordance with section (12) subsection one of the 1999 constitution,” they said.
The children also condemned the inadequate attention given to cases involving child violence in the country saying it is not only damaging to the future of the Nigerian child but those who violate them continue to live freely as well.
They said there is little or no report on physical, sexual and emotional violence that occur in the home and schools as a result of violence being taken as a norm in the Nigerian society.
The children also resolved that other states aside the 24 that has passed the Child Rights Act should urgently do so saying that in addition to the domestication of the Child Rights Act , states must emulate government polices laid down in Lagos and Akwa Ibom state in respect to the implementation of the act.
Others include; creation of awareness on violence against children for children to prevent and also encourage them to report, and awareness creation on punishment and implication of violence against children for parents , guardians and school authorities.
And finally the Nigerian government must increase children’s access to child friendly services including family courts and must ensure perpetrators of violence are held accountable and appropriately penalized.
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development , Hajiya Zainab Maina in her address said the choice of the theme of this year’s celebration “Violence against children: Addressing the challenges” was informed by the current environment in the country which is characterized by insecurity and violence against women and children.
In addition she said it is to enable government place the right priority on the protection of children and to enlighten the populace on the ills associated with violence against children.
The minister said creating a condusive and protective environment that will uphold the right of the child is a collective responsibility that needs a lot of efforts, passion and commitment.
She urged security agencies and the judiciary to redouble their efforts in order to timely arrest, expose and punish offenders according to the law.
According to the Chief Child Protection, UNICEF, Rachel Harvey, many Nigerian children live under the shadow of violence in their communities, homes and schools and places that should provide safety from  harm.
She said the most alarming is the level of violence in the North East of which children are bearing the brunt and over 743,000 under- 18s have fled their homes to escape the violence.
She said children have lost their lives, witnessed horrific acts of violence, being forcibly recruited to fight and been subjected to sexual violence.
“This year alone, there have been more suicide bombings involving children and women than in the whole of 2014-27 compared to 26. Appallingly, nine children all of them girls aged between approximately seven and 17 have been used in suicide attacks since July last year. Children are not instigating these suicide attacks: they are used intentionally by adults in the most horrific way. They are first and foremost victims, not perpetrators,” she said.
The Child protection officer said many children have been separated from their parents and families as a result of conflict , increasing their vulnerability to exploitation, violence , abduction and recruitment.
She echoed the call of the Children’s parliament on national children’s day which is that government, nongovernmental organizations, development partners as well as communities, families and children should join hands to end violence against children, and ensure that all children in Nigeria can grow up without fear of violence.