Lagos, C/River, Bayelsa, Call For Full Implementation of Child Rights Act

— June 25, 2014

Chibuzor Ebere
Some states in the country, among them Lagos, Cross River and Bayelsa, have taken a critical look at the issues of Child Rights Acts as it is practiced in Nigeria, and pointed the ways forward to improve the rights of a child.
The states which are participating at the ongoing three-day programme designed to uphold the Child Rights Act in the country regretted that the issue is being treated with levity by state governments and called for an enduring policy that will uphold the right of a child in the country.

The programme, which is holding in Lagos, is funded by European Union(EU) under the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and in collaboration with Federal Government of Nigeria. Essentially, it is being organised to create a platform that would enable stakeholders discuss deeply how to implement Child Rights Laws.
In her welcome address,Vernice Guthrie, Project Coordinator of UNICEF urged participants to contribute to the issue hand by volunteering ideas that would ensure full implementation of the Act in Nigeria.
The theme of this year’s workshop is focused on the need to support the full implementation of Child Rights Act and establishment of family courts and other relevant institutions. It commenced on June 23rd, 2014 and is expected to end on June 27th, 2014.

Speaking at the workshop, the Lagos State representative, Hon. Justice Y. O.Idowu said that the problem of child trafficking or neglect of children is a major issue in Lagos State as everyday children keep trooping into the state.
Hon. Idowu noted that violence against children covers imaginable ground, citing some of the efforts of the Lagos state government to address these issues, especially in cases of rape.

She advised that children should be educated to know that nobody should tamper with them and that these campaigns should be taken to the market, schools, churches and mosques.
“I am gender friendly but the women must not be seen as sub-servants to their husband rather be submissive to enable to shun this evil act”, Hon. Idowu said.

She pointed out that people should look into the cultural aspect too; a case whereby a man is always entitled to the fattest portion of the meat while the remnants are meant for the children.
The Cross River State representative, Mr. Ikpi Otu, a deputy Chief Registrar, in his presentation said that the Cross River State Child Law was investigated in 2009. This law, she said includes rights of a child’s freedom of association, conscience, religion, discrimination and dignity, adding that the section 18 of the law the child is dealing with special protection and every child has responsibility over his parents , community and society.

Mr. Otu said under the same law, parents have their vital roles to play for the children’s responsibility as to providing the necessary things that would make them to be responsible to themselves and to the society at large.
The deputy Chief Registrar said everyone involved in acts like early marriage, genital mutilation, tattoo and marks has a fine to pay or imprisoned to serve for a number of years depending on the magnitude of the offence or abuse.

Deputy Director , Ministry of Justice Bayesian State , Mrs. Iyobosa E. Abulu ,who also spoke at the occasions said there is an establishment of Children and Young Person Club (CYPC) in the state but are divided into 10 parts.
She pointed out that there is peculiar thing about them because of their background, stressing that law covers any child that is involved in pregnancy to go back to school immediately after given birth and they have written to the school authority concerning such children.

Another if a child is living with an immoral mother that is a mother who is a prostitute, the child should remain s with the mother, the child should remains under the custody of the mother as the is not affected.
She added that most Bayelsa children are suffering from child right violation, adding that the State Government has resolved to bring perpetrators of such crimes to book.
“Again the Non Governmental Organisation needs to sensitize the women in Bayelsa State against any form of child right abuse.

SOURCE. http://theunion.com.ng/lagos-criver-bayelsa-call-for-full-implementation-of-child-rights-act/