By Augustine Osayande
The Senate on Thursday mandated its committee on Women Affairs to liaise with the Federal Ministry of women Affairs and Social Development to domesticate the Child Right Act in the 13 States that are yet to enact the Act.
The upper chamber of the National Assembly also felicitates with the Federal Government and the families of the 83 Chibok girls that were recently released. They urge the Federal Government to ensure that rehabilitation of the girls through the provision of adequate welfare, education, health services and intensify efforts to rescue the remaining girls.
The development follows a motion on 2017 Children’s Day Celebration sponsored by Senator Binta Masi Garba and 8 others. Presenting the motion Senator Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South) said the significant role of the Nigerian Child in the nation’s development and need to lay a good foundation and secure their future through the domestication and implementation of the Child Right Act 2003 in every States if the Federation. “We need to appreciate the Children of Nigeria through the passage of The Child Right Act 2003 which defines a new child protective system and allow opportunities for the participation of children in matters that concerned their rights and welfare which had been adopted and is being implemented in 23 States including the Federal Capital Territory and the Universal Basic Education Act, 2004 which makes the education of the Nigerian Child free compulsory and enforceable right with penalties for parents and guardians who failed or neglected this obligation” Olujimi said.
She further stated that a proper system of education and good health care are indispensable in making the Nigerian Child relevant in the global scheme of things. Olujimi also expressed worry that the infant mortality rate in Nigeria has risen to one million deaths per annum as a result of poor nutrition and inadequate medical facilities.
In his comment, the Senate President Bukola Saraki said the Senate will continue to work with speakers of the State Houses of Assembly who are yet to domesticate the Child Right Act to do so.
