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Save the Children International (SCI) has reiterated its dedication to collaborating with federal and state governments in Nigeria to enhance children’s rights.
The organization is also pushing for budget prioritization to bolster initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of children across the country.
Mr. Duncan Harvey, the Country Director of SCI, disclosed this during a 2-day capacity building of the 7th Assembly of the National Children’s Parliament on Friday, an event organized in partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs.
Mr. Harvey emphasized that SCI offers a platform for children to voice their concerns and ensures these issues are addressed with effective actions.
He also reaffirmed their ongoing support and dedication to children’s initiatives as parliamentarians.
“Save the Children has been working in Nigeria since 2001, with programs in 12 states supporting children’s rights through clubs, parliaments, and advisory groups.
“I congratulates the 7th Assembly of the National Children’s Parliament on this special occasion. This forum enables children nationwide to speak up on issues that matter to them, a right enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter, and Nigeria’s Child Rights Act.
“Save the Children is committed to collaborating with federal and state governments to advance children’s rights across Nigeria, including calling for budget prioritization to support these initiatives.
“We envision a country where every child’s rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled, ensuring a future free of violence, harmful practices, and abuse,” he said.
Also speaking the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, represented by the Director of the Child Development Department in the Ministry, Mr. Ali Andrew Madugu, underscored the ministry’s deliberate efforts to promote children’s rights to participation adding that the importance of involving children in discussions on matters affecting their well-being, as it empowers them to speak out and reduces the culture of silence surrounding sensitive issues.
Madugu emphasized that promoting child participation is a fundamental aspect of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
He added that according to the CRC, children and young people have the right to freely express their views, and it is the duty of adults and policymakers to listen and ensure their involvement in all matters affecting them.
He further stated that this principle is upheld in Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which is also enshrined in Nigeria’s Child Rights Act of 2003.
“The participation of children in decision-making is a core principle of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, it emphasizes children’s rights to freely express their views and obligates policymakers to listen and facilitate their participation in all matters affecting them,” he said.
Rt. Hon. Progress Friday Umoh, Speaker of the 7th National Children’s Parliament (NCP), has reaffirmed the parliament’s commitment to safeguarding Nigerian children both in and out of school.
“We are determined to ensure the safety and protection of every Nigerian child, whether they are in school or at home,” Umoh said.
She further promised to work closely with both governmental and non-governmental organizations to eradicate harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and tribal marks, adding that “awareness campaigns in rural communities will be a key part of our strategy to put an end to these harmful traditions.”
