The Country Director of Save the Children International (SCI), Mr. Duncan Harvey, has charged children to participate and make their voices to be heard in decisions affecting them.
He noted this at the 7th Assembly of the National Children’s Parliament organsied by SCI in collaboration with Ministry of Women Affairs.
He said Save the Children provides the platform for children to amplify their concerns and ensure they are met with meaningful action.
He also pledged their continued support and commitment to the Children’s work here as parliamentarians.
“Save the Children has been working in Nigeria since 2001, with programs in 12 states supporting children’s rights through clubs, parliaments, and advisory groups.
“I congratulates the 7th Assembly of the National Children’s Parliament on this special occasion. This forum enables children nationwide to speak up on issues that matter to them, a right enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter, and Nigeria’s Child Rights Act.
“Save the Children is committed to collaborating with federal and state governments to advance children’s rights across Nigeria, including calling for budget prioritization to support these initiatives.
“We envision a country where every child’s rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled, ensuring a future free of violence, harmful practices, and abuse,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, represented by the Director of the Child Development Department in the Ministry, Mr. Ali Andrew Madugu, expressed gratitude to everyone for their role in ensuring that the children has a voice .
Mr Madugu assured the assembly that his remarks reflect the ministry’s stance on children’s welfare.
He lauded the parliamentarians, expressing delight at their commitment to deliberating issues that impact Nigerian children’s welfare.
Mr. Madugu underscored the significance of this session, aligning it with Nigeria’s upcoming participation at the Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Bogota, Colombia, scheduled for November 7–8, 2024.
He noted that the perspectives of Nigerian children would enrich the nation’s commitment presented at the conference.
Mr. Madugu called on former members of the Children’s Parliament to support the ministry in mentoring upcoming young leaders, ensuring continuity in child participation rights in Nigeria.
He also urged the remaining states to elect representatives to join the National Children’s Parliament, as all states should be represented.
He encouraged further donor support to enable the parliamentarians to serve effectively as voices for the future.
Mr. Madugu stressed the ministry’s commitment to sustaining this platform, recognizing the diverse challenges children face across Nigeria, from IDP camps to those out of school.
He hoped that the Children’s Parliament would continue developing policies that address these critical issues.
