Ene Osang
Abuj
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, has said the federal government was committed to implementing strategic programmes geared towards a child-friendly and quality education for the Nigerian child.
Maina stated this during the commemoration of the 2014 Day of the African Child, organised by the ministry in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Save our Children International, on the theme “A Child Friendly, Quality, Free and Compulsory Education For all Children in Africa.”
Maina, who was represented by an Assistant Director in the ministry, Mrs. Helen Uji , said the theme of this year’s celebration was apt, following the insecurity and acts of violence facing African, and especially Nigerian children, in a bid to access quality education.
She said the abduction of schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno state, had drawn the ministry backward in its aim of achieving greater heights for children.
She regretted that the girls were abducted when efforts at promoting the girl-child education and gender balance had begun yielding results.
The minister said despite the challenges, the federal government was committed to the implementation of strategic programmes geared towards achieving a child friendly and quality education for children.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Habiba Muda, said this year’s celebration was to draw attention of African governments, policy makers and stakeholders to their responsibilities towards children’s right to education.