The World Children’s Day 2024, was marked with a special event in Kaduna State, where the “one day” Governor, Hussaina Adam, emphasised the importance of parents’ role in shaping the future of children. The “one day” Governor Adam,15, is a pupil at KADBUSA community Centre for Adolescents in Kaduna.
Globally, World Children’s Day events feature children taking over key roles in media, politics, business, and entertainment to amplify their voices and concerns. The children step into leadership positions to raise awareness about issues affecting them. The theme of the years’ event is “Listen to the Future”.
Speaking to newsmen at the sideline of the event organised by UNICEF on Wednesday in Kaduna, the “one day” governor urged parents to prioritise their children’s upbringing, education, and well-being.
She emphasised the significance of listening to children and ensuring their rights are protected to light their hopes and dreams for a better future.
The “one day” governor reminded every adult on his/her responsibility towards ensuring that children’s rights were respected and protected.
She, however, lamented the growing number of children roaming the streets of Kaduna. Adam appealed to the government to enable every child to have access and quality education.
She said parents were supposed to be the first people to help their children when the need arises, while frowning at those who discipline their children with hunger or other harsh punishment.
She urged parents to be their children’s closest friends in order to avoid wrong advice or bad influence from peer group.
“Our parents need to get us closer to themselves so that they will know our problems and find best solutions to the them, “she said.
The ‘governor’ thanked their school for the initiative of enrolling street children so as to prevent drug abuse and other menace that could be committed by adolescents.
Earlier, Dr Wilfred Mamah, the UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, Kaduna Field Office, said for the organisation, their mandate to protect children all over the world was clear.
He said that the event looked into the Child’s Rights Law. He emphasised that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child has given children the voice.
According to him, this year’s theme explains the right to be heard as a fundamental right of children.
Mamah, therefore, said the children were brought together to be celebrated and sensitised on their right to survival and development.
One of the stakeholders, the Co-founder of Ummu Aytam (MARAYU) Foundation, an orphanage, Hajiya Zubaida Bature, said they were critical in ensuring that orphans get the best out of life.
She thanked UNICEF for including orphans in marking the event, stressing that it would go a long way in boasting their self-esteem and hope for a better future.
Also, Joseph Ike, the Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Bureau for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (KADBUSA), said in prevention, evidence has shown that it works best on adolescents and children.
Ike, represented by Anas Abubakar, the Bureau’s Head of Prevention Services, said they empower children with life and social skills they require to reject and build resilience against falling victims of substance use which may result into abuse and ruin their lives.
He added that the bureau employs the evidence-based prevention programmes to cover all of the stages of development of children from parental period to adolescent.
Ike said, “We have programmes in primary schools, primary health care centres, immunisation and nutrition clinics where pregnant women and women with young children go, secondary schools, sport and community based programmes,”.
The Executive Secretary said the programmes were aimed at empowering adolescents and children with the resilience they need for effective development by shying away from drug abuse and living successful lives.
The global day of action for children, by children, is celebrated annually on November 20, marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
To address these challenges, UNICEF and partners are working tirelessly to support children in need.
This includes providing emergency aid, promoting education and protection, and advocating policies that prioritise children’s rights.