The National Council of Child Rights Advocates of Nigeria (NCCRAN) have commended the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin and the Nigerian Armed Forces for their role in the release of the 21 Chibok girls and sought partnership with the Defence Headquarters to end child abuse by raising productive children in Nigeria.
This request was made by the Director Program and International Relations NCCRAN, Mrs. Betty Olutunde , when she led a delegation to pay a courtesy visit to the (CDS) at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Abuja.
Mrs Olutunde while commending the Presidency and the Nigerian Armed Forces on the successful recovery of the 21 Chibok girls, also appealed to General Olonisakin to encourage the Military to assist the council in Advocacy for children right, and to create awareness for adults.
Mrs Olutunde, noted that Boko Haram Terrorists were once children and if they had a conducive and monitored upbringing they would have been better people. She therefore requested support from DHQ to raise awareness in communities on child upbringing and the need for Nigerian parents to pay attention to their children.
She also sought for DHQ’s co-operation to assist the National Council of Rights Advocates of Nigeria in their Rescue Center Project, which will be for all Nigerian children, Mrs Olutunde said the center will be non-religious, and observed that Nigeria doesn’t have a Rescue Centre facility.
In his response, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans Air Vice Marshal Bashir Saidu welcomed the delegation and lauded their commission for a well intended policy.
Air Vice Marshal Bashir Saidu, in his statement said that children are the greatest asset of any Nation, assured the delegates of DHQ’s readiness to partner with them to help raise productive Nigerians, he also promised that the military is doing all their capacity to release not only the remaining Chibok girls but every other person held captive by boko haram terrorists.
Highlights of the visit include, presentation of souvenir to the team Leader and group photographs with the members of the council.
