Child Rights Will Enhance Nigeria’s Potential, Human Resources – UNICEF ….. advocates Quick Passage of Bill
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kano
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Sunday said the Child Rights Act when implemented will enhance Nigeria’s potential and also boost human resources.
UNICEF, Chief of Kano Field Office, Maulid Warfa, who stated this in Kano, also appealed to members of Houses of Assembly in Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states to ensure immediate passage of the Child Rights Bill and monitor the implementation in the best interest of children in the states.
Warfa, was at the Youth Talk Kano Chapter programme with the theme: “The Nigeria We Want, Voices from Kano,” noted that realising the Child’s Rights will greatly enhance potential and human resources in Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states.
“To this effect, it becomes pertinent to make a passionate appeal to policy makers and the legislature in Kano and our other two states of Katsina and Jigawa to expedite action to ensure the passage of the Child Rights Law and provide the conducive atmosphere for implementation of the law in the best interest of our children.” He said.
According to him, “UNICEF and partners want to build on the momentum of young people as we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the convention on the Rights of the Child this year and keep youth voices at the centre of the debate.”
Warfa further stated that “young people today live in a world of unlimited potential. However, despite gains in the situation facing Nigerian children and young people in recent years, much remains to be done.
“Too many Nigerian children and young people are being left behind, especially when it comes to education. Nigeria has the world’s highest number of out-of-school children.”
Noting that 10.5 million Nigerian children are not in school, the UNICEF chief expressed gratitude to Kano State government for working with key partners, including UNICEF, to turn around the unfortunate situation through its free and compulsory education at basic and secondary levels.
In his speech, the Chief Executive Officer of Development Professionals Network International (DevProNet), Dr. Mansur Muhammad Tukur, regretted that “unemployment and poverty are some factors that deprive youths from using their full potential for their personal good as well as that of society.”.
