Children’s Day: FCTA committed to children’s welfare, protection — Minister

By Taofeek LAWAL, Abuja

FCT Minister of State, Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has reiterated the administration’s commitment to the protection and general welfare of children in the territory.

Tijjani Aliyu gave the assurance at a joint news conference organised to mark the 2021 National Children’s Day in Abuja which also had in attendance the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Paulen Tallen.

Tijjani Aliyu who was represented by the acting Secretary FCTA Social Development Secretariat (SDS), Dr Kelvin  Ike, said the FCT authority had made frantic efforts to protect children against COVID-19 pandemic. She added  that all FCT children institutions and schools were operating with strict compliance with COVID-19 preventive guidelines.

The minister noted that the administration was not lagging in caring for the orphans and vulnerable children while stating that the administration was doing everything possible to support vulnerable children to attain their maximum potential in life.

She however expressed concern of the FCT administration to the menace of street children which she said is of serious challenge to the administration. She listed the categories of street children to include street beggars, hawkers, and the al-majiris.

“We are not relenting in our efforts to address the menace. FCT administration is not relenting in the struggle to eliminate the menace of street children. We are in the process of reconstituting the Child Right Implementation Committee as provided in the Child Right Act, 2003 towards that effect. The committee when put in place will be embarking on activities such as advocacy, preventive, institutional and follow up programmes which will go a long way in addressing the menace,” the FCT minister stated.

She appealed to parents, guardians, religious and traditional rulers, NGOs and concerned individuals to support the administration in the struggle to ensure that children are placed in their rightful positions.

Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, in her remarks solicited the support of governors and state legislatures and other critical stakeholders to push for the domestication of the Child Rights Act, 2003 and VAPP Act 2015.

Tallen tasked the media not to relent in  bringing to the attention of stakeholders, every incident of child abuse and violation.