Children’s Day: UNICEF launches campaign on child rights

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has inaugurated a campaign to create awareness about the rights of children in Nigeria.

In a statement on Monday, Peter Hawkins, UNICEF’s country representative in Nigeria, said the “For every child, every right” campaign is to commemorate the Children’s Day celebration.

Hawkins lamented that while there have been recent many innovations, Nigerian children were still not accessing health, nutrition, education and other amenities as they ought to.

“Sadly, it is the most disadvantaged children who are suffering the greatest challenge in having their rights fulfilled,” he said.

This year’s Children’s Day falls on the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which is being commemorated this year around the world.

As part of the celebrations, UNICEF also launched a “Passport to Your Rights”, a copy of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in child-friendly language.

The organisation said its target is for every child in Nigeria to have a copy by 2030, the deadline for the achievement of the sustainable development goals.

“Thirty years ago, something incredible happened. World leaders came together in a moment of unity for the world’s children,” Hawkins said.

“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. We want to see every Nigerian child have that kind of childhood.

“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.”