The Governor of Delta
State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has said that is administration is committed to
promoting and protecting the rights of every child in the state as enshrined in
the Child Rights Law 2009.
Okowa stated this at the occasion of the Day of the African
Child, organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social
Development, held yesterday at Government House, Asaba.
The governor, who was represented at the occasion by the
Commissioner for Information, Hon. Patrick Ukah said that the state government
has taken steps in that sector through workshops, seminars, retreats, camps and
participation of Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in community education
on children’s rights, protection and responsibilities.
Dr. Okowa noted that despite all the efforts, there still
exist instances where children’s rights were being violated such as child
dumping and all manner of child exploitations among others.
While appealing to all stakeholders to ensure that
children’s rights are constantly protected, he urged them to continue with the
education and enlightenment on children’s rights and responsibilities, as well
as right to life and development.
He noted that the major issue is child survival and demanded
that focus should always be on children’s rights to life and the commitment of
all towards their survival, protection and provision of basic needs such as
food, clean water, sanitation, health, shelter and education.
Okowa explained that the Day of the African Child is an
event commemorated annually on the 16th day of June, in remembrance of the
gruesome murder of school children by the Apartheid regime in Soweto, South
Africa.
Stating the theme of this year’s Day of the African Child,
‘Conflict and Crisis in Africa: Protecting the Children’s Rights’, Okowa said
it could not have come at any better time than now as children are facing so
many challenges arising from several centres of conflict across the continent.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social
Development, Rev. Omotsola Williams in her remarks, urged parents not to
deviate in moral values which the African continent is known for in raising
their children.
She attributed the conflicts in various African continents
to the abandonment of parental roles by parents, families and communities,
adding that except children are raised with the ideal moral values, the
conflicts are bound to continue. “Few persons who derive personal joy in
conflicts come up with wrong ideas and try to propagate it on their fellows;
this, at the end result in conflicts”.
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