Kaduna: Blessing Ugah Takes Over as Women Affairs Commissioner
By Alex Uangbaoje, Kaduna
Little Blessing Ugah, on Monday took over from Hajiya Hafsat Baba, as Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Kaduna State, in a symbolic “Take Over” to mark ‘World Children’s Day’ organized by the State Ministry of Women Affairs in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
World Children’s Day is celebrated globally 20th November. The day was set aside by the United Nations for children all over the world; to help save children’s lives, fight for their rights and help them fulfil their potential.
This year’s event with the theme “take over”, is designed to empower and give children opportunity to understand what life was all about and support them to grow and exploit their full potentials.
The day also gives children opportunity to take over positions of authority for them to have a feel of responsibility and dream of what they want to become in future.
Delivering her speech at the symbolic ‘take over’ as a Commissioner, little Blessing, noted that, “Children in every country regardless of their culture, status and religion face various forms of abuses such as exploitation, trafficking, sexual, emotional, physical, humiliating punishment, harmful traditional practices (including early marriage and genital cutting.
“End Violence Against Children Survey shows that much of these abuses takes place at home, in school, in institutions, at work and in the community. Other forms of violence against children, such as corporal punishment and sexual abuse, are looked at as legal and socially acceptable in our cultures and communities.”
She added that, “today’s children are tomorrow’s scientists, politicians, doctors, teachers, commissioners, governors and presidents.
“Today’s children will inherit all of what humanity has managed to accomplish since the beginning of its existence, both the good and honourable deeds, the cruel wars and terrible failures.
“It is the children of today that will be charged with protecting the weak and vulnerable of this world, and making even the hardest of decisions in order to do so.
“This is a day for children, by children, all over the world. As we celebrate this day, let’s make time to help save children’s lives fight for their rights and help them fulfil their potential.”
In her handing over remarks, Hafsat Baba, commended the children for their courage, boldness and the believe that they can become whatever they want to.
She said as part of measures to put a stop to violence against children, Kaduna State Government last month launched the End Violence Against Children campaign and is committed to seeing to its full implementation.
“Government is also pushing for the passage of the Child Protection Law which will not only help change the way children are viewed and treated, but will also guarantee that Children are no longer viewed as properties but are rather treated as human beings in addition to
safeguarding their development, dignity, physical and emotional integrity.” She added.
Earlier, Officer in charge of Kaduna Field Office, UNICEF, Dr. Idris Baba, who appreciated the Kaduna state government for making the day to reflect the theme of this year’s, ‘Kids take over’ said, the programme was deliberately put together to grow children to be become what they really want when they become adults.
“UNICEF appreciate the state government for making this day a reality. We need to imbue in them that their future is bright and with them, that of Nigeria is brighter. I want to congratulate Kaduna State government for this initiative. The key thing is the selection of children that are here. None of them is a child of any top government functionaries and that shows how open the government is.
“Looking at the theme of the celebration for the year, this event is deliberately put together to grow these wonderful children to become what they really want to become when they become adults. We want them to know that, they are very important in every nation and we will continue to work hard with stakeholders to give our children the opportunity to become important persons in life so they can add value to the world peace.” Dr. Baba, said.
