The Lagos
State Government at the weekend advocated for the prioritisation of children’s
rights in national policies and programmes for sustainable socio-economic
development of the country.
Commissioner
for Youth and Social Development, Agboola Dabiri, made the request at this
year’s Day of the African Child at Ikeja with the theme: Leave No Child Behind
For Africa’s Development.
He said it
was time children’s interests were prioritised above other issues in national
policies and programmes, as many still lacked access to good education,
adequate nutrition and quality healthcare.
He noted
that failure to equip children with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
would isolate them from economic and educational opportunities, as well as
increase their poverty.
Dabiri
stated that irrespective of where children live or what their circumstance are,
they deserve to be treated well as children and should not be left out in
whatever form.
“They
deserve to be integrated into the plans, programmes and policies of government
at all levels. I believe children in these conditions may not achieve their
potential if left behind in developmental plans,” he said.
He disclosed
that the state government had commenced the review of the Child Rights Laws in
alignment with regional and international protocols to promote children’s
rights.
He said the
review, aimed at strengthening the prioritise interest of children and prohibit
their exclusion in National and Regional Polices were part of Governor Akinwumi
Ambode’s all-inclusive policy thrust.
Dabiri
appealled to children not to engage in drug abuse, saying: “You play a major
role in Lagos. You are our future.”
State
Coordinator of the National Council for Child Rights Advocates, Olaitan Oshodi,
said children’s rights should be prioritised as, “children deserve the best
education and health care, irrespective of their economic status in society.
“The
children that were killed in Soweto many years ago, is a proof that children
can fight for their rights to be catered for and have a good life. The
government and the society owe them that and lots more.”
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