NGO Calls For State Of Emergency On Child Rights Protection

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Basic Rights Counsel Initiative has admonished the declaration of a state of emergency on Child Rights Protection.

James Ibor, Executive Secretary of the initiative made this known during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Monday.

According to him, the declaration was necessary as the systems put in place for the cause of child's rights have failed to deliver as expected.

He expressed his concern about the large number of out-of-school children in the country, adding that Nigeria is one of the worst places to raise a child.

“Nigeria is the worst place to grow a child; it is either they die before being born, die immediately after birth, or their parents are unable to take care of them when they are born.

“The fact is that there is no social system in place to ensure the child grows up well, no matter the circumstances surrounding their conception and birth.

“Many children are out of school because of school fees, and the ones in school are either not secured or the school environment is not conducive for them to learn,” Ibor said.

The group of lawyers added the laws put in place to protect children were not implemented as expected. 

“The fact that the government and those saddled with the responsibility of enacting and implementing these laws are the ones breaking the same rules, makes it difficult for things to work well in this country.

“Various ministries set up to implement the Child Rights Protection Law, do not have the capacity to implement the laws.

“Some of the ministries are handicapped for lack of funds, some lack qualified social workers, while in some cases, the government makes huge budgetary provisions, but fails to release the budgeted funds.

“In summary, the government is not living up to the expectations of protecting the children which they have sworn to protect.”