UNICEF on Monday commemorated Nigerian Children’s Day, saying that it
comes at a crucial moment for child rights in the country, and for child rights
globally.
comes at a crucial moment for child rights in the country, and for child rights
globally.
They launched a campaign to draw awareness to children’s rights by
all of Nigerian society.
all of Nigerian society.
“While there have been many advances over the last years, children in
Nigeria are still not accessing health, nutrition, education and other rights
to the extent that they must,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF’s new Country
Representative in Nigeria, who took up his post today. “Sadly, it is the most
disadvantaged children who are suffering the greatest challenge in having their
rights fulfilled.”
Nigeria are still not accessing health, nutrition, education and other rights
to the extent that they must,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF’s new Country
Representative in Nigeria, who took up his post today. “Sadly, it is the most
disadvantaged children who are suffering the greatest challenge in having their
rights fulfilled.”
Nigerian Children’s Day 2019 falls during the 30th anniversary
of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which is being
commemorated this year around the world.
of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which is being
commemorated this year around the world.
As part of the celebrations, UNICEF is launching a “Passport to Your
Rights” – a copy of the CRC in child-friendly language, in pocket format.
UNICEF aims that every child in Nigeria has a copy by 2030 – the deadline for
achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Rights” – a copy of the CRC in child-friendly language, in pocket format.
UNICEF aims that every child in Nigeria has a copy by 2030 – the deadline for
achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The CRC ‘passport’ will also be available in Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and
Pidgin languages, helping to ensure access by millions of Nigerians.
Pidgin languages, helping to ensure access by millions of Nigerians.
“Thirty years ago, something incredible happened. World leaders came
together in a moment of unity for the world’s children. They made a promise to
every child to protect and fulfil their rights, by adopting the UN’s Convention
on the Rights of the Child. The Conventon established childhood as a period
that is separate from adulthood – a time in which children should grow, learn,
play, develop and flourish,” said Peter Hawkins.
together in a moment of unity for the world’s children. They made a promise to
every child to protect and fulfil their rights, by adopting the UN’s Convention
on the Rights of the Child. The Conventon established childhood as a period
that is separate from adulthood – a time in which children should grow, learn,
play, develop and flourish,” said Peter Hawkins.
“We want to see every Nigerian child have that kind of a childhood,”
said Peter Hawkins.
said Peter Hawkins.
The Convention went on to become the most widely-ratified human rights
treaty in history, with Nigeria ratifying it in 1991. It has helped to
transform children’s lives; inspiring legislative changes to protect children
and enabling them to participate actively in their societies.
treaty in history, with Nigeria ratifying it in 1991. It has helped to
transform children’s lives; inspiring legislative changes to protect children
and enabling them to participate actively in their societies.
“Today, more children than ever live healthy lives, are learning in
school and have a voice in their communities. But much more needs to be done as
children’s rights continue to be unfulfilled and threatened daily around the
world and in Nigeria. There are still too many children being left behind, and
too many childhoods cut short by violence, conflict, poverty and inequality,”
said Peter Hawkins.
school and have a voice in their communities. But much more needs to be done as
children’s rights continue to be unfulfilled and threatened daily around the
world and in Nigeria. There are still too many children being left behind, and
too many childhoods cut short by violence, conflict, poverty and inequality,”
said Peter Hawkins.
“On this Nigerian Children’s Day, we must look ahead to the future of
childhood in this country, and re-commit to urgent, specific actions to protect
the rights of every child – now, and in future generations.”
childhood in this country, and re-commit to urgent, specific actions to protect
the rights of every child – now, and in future generations.”
“Child rights will only be fully realized when every government and
every citizen is aware of and upholds children’s rights, and every child can
claim those rights. It is for this reason that we are launching a campaign ‘For
every child, every right’ and will work closely with the government to ensure
that all Nigerians are aware of the rights that all children have. This
includes in particular children themselves.”
every citizen is aware of and upholds children’s rights, and every child can
claim those rights. It is for this reason that we are launching a campaign ‘For
every child, every right’ and will work closely with the government to ensure
that all Nigerians are aware of the rights that all children have. This
includes in particular children themselves.”
“Working together, we can seize this moment and make it a turning point
for every child; I look forward to picking up this challenge, as the new UNICEF
Country Representative in Nigeria,” said Peter Hawkins.
for every child; I look forward to picking up this challenge, as the new UNICEF
Country Representative in Nigeria,” said Peter Hawkins.
Credit: UNICEF
