‘Boko Haram denied children the joy of Children’s Day’

The abduction of 276 girls in Chibok has affected the joy of celebrating Children’s Day, the Federal Government has admitted.

Speaking during a press briefing in commemoration of the National Children’s Day in Abuja, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, assured that the government is doing everything possible to ensure the safe release of the girls.

She reiterated the commitment of the government towards working for a secured future for Nigerian children, urging stakeholders to support and collaborate with government agencies to make the country better.

“Children’s Day is meant to be a day of fun and merriment for children who represent an important segment of the society, both in their significant population and also as the reservoir of the future leaders of the country,” NAN quoted Maina as saying.

“I wish to assure you that the protection of all Nigerian children is our priority.”

She commended the security agents for the efforts to rescue the abducted girls and disclosed that the ministry had put in place a psycho-social support, trauma management and empowerment programme for the abductees and their parents.

Maina urged the parents not to be deterred in sending their wards to school, saying security had been beefed up in crisis-prone areas.

She also revealed that the federal government has inaugurated a National Joint Task Force for the prevention of sexual abuse and other forms of violence against children.

She said the establishment of the task force was informed by the emerging social problems affecting the girl-child in the country.
The minister said other interventions to protect the girl-child include advocacy on the negative consequences of early marriage and ensuring access to adequate and quality health services as enshrined in the Child Rights Act.