May 27: Kwara Sets Up Implementation Committee For Child Rights Act

Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday said his administration is determined to continue to implement programmes and policies that seek to protect the rights of every Kwara child and support their development, as the state joined its counterparts to mark this year’s Children’s Day.The Governor said the children and their general well-being are central to his government, hence the priority.

“It is my great joy and happiness to celebrate today with millions of children in the state. As a matter of fact, children and their affairs are dear to my heart.

“This is why my administration equally prioritizes the implementation of plans and policies that bring about desired results on our children’s development in the state,” he said.

Children’s Day is an international holiday that was first established in Nigeria in 1964. It is celebrated in Nigeria every May 27, and this year’s edition is themed: “Total Well-being of the Nigeria ln Children through Quality Education and Social Skill Development”.

The Governor, who spoke through the Commissioner for Special Duties Hon John Bello, highlighted some of the programmes his government has executed to transform the education sector in the state, including investments in basic infrastructure.

“This Administration renovated and constructed thousands of classrooms, hired thousands of quality teachers, and equipped many of them with ICT centers across public schools in the sixteen local governments of the state,” he said.

“Our KwaraLEARN programme has continued to improve learning outcomes for our children. No doubt, the effects of these investments are already being felt with regard to the standard of our education system.

“Just recently, our Administration set up the Child Right Implementation committee to identify what the rights of our children are, with a view to protecting those rights and catering for the general wellbeing of every child”.

AbdulRazaq called on parents, community leaders and other key stakeholders to play their roles expectedly on children, noting however they are brought up will have a great impact on the society.

Amb. Mrs AbdulRazaq, for her part, said the Day is set aside to provide opportunities for parents to reflect on the need to take proper care of their children and prepare them well for future leadership challenges.

She congratulated the children across the federation on the anniversary and commended parents and guardians for their efforts at ensuring that their children and wards are guided and provided for in order to succeed.

“My office and the Ajike People’s Support Center will continue to lead advocacies to protect our children more effectively from all forms of violence, child labour, child trafficking, forced marriages and other such related vices,” she said.

The First Lady applauded the government for the committed efforts and resources to ensure that no kwara child is denied access to quality and affordable education, and healthcare services among other basic necessities that will make their lives better.

Bosede, ìn her opening remarks, said the government has, through the Ministry, established two functioning Sexual Assault Referral Center (SARC) to provide free medical care and protect victims of rape, sexual harassment and other forms of abuse.

She said the Ministry, through the Child Department, has successfully mediated many reported cases of child neglect, apart from giving the survivor victims a monthly stipend, thanking Governor AbdulRazaq for giving their office the needed support to perform well.