Children from the northwestern states of Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina have appealed to stakeholders to provide them with security, quality healthcare, water, and sanitation.
The children made the appeal during the commemoration of World Children’s Day in Kano, organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
They also urged the government to return out-of-school children to classrooms and ensure they receive basic quality education.
They however, demanded the implementation of the child rights laws as well as access to gender equality in terms of girl child education.
Moreover, they decried gender discrimination, lack menstrual hygiene to female children and demanded for access to justice with regards to violence against children.
Furthermore, they solicited for collaboration to advance for the well being of children in Nigeria at all levels.
The children further appealed for media support to promote their cause and ensure they gain access to their rights.
In his speech during the event, the Chief of the UNICEF Kano Field Office, Mr. Rahama Mohammed Farah, explained that UNICEF has been providing technical and financial support to the government in addressing numerous challenges related to children.
He stressed that to ensure every child in Nigeria can live, learn and grow with dignity and safety, UNICEF calls for collaborative action by stakeholders to change the situation.
Farah thus reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to working hand in hand with government, development partners, communities and civil society, to ensure that every Nigerian child can survive, learn and thrive.
He revealed that it is clear that Nigeria has made progress, but urgent, sustained and united action is required to safeguard Children’s future.
Usman Mohammed Zaria
