Following the turmoil caused by members of Boko Haram in the country as a result of the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls from their dormitory at Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State on April 14, 2014, the Nigerian children parliament has vowed not to participate in the May 27 Children’s Day Celebration if the abducted girls are not released before the day.
This statement was disclosed by the national speaker, Children’s Parliament, Master Idara Thompson, on Monday May, 12, 2014 at the end of the 2014 national and state Children’s Parliament Retreat in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Thompson said that instead of our leaders deploying security operatives in schools, churches, mosques, and other public places to protect the children they rather send them to homes of politicians, their aides and the rich.
This development, he noted has made the Nigerian child to be exposed to child theft, sexual abuse and child labour which in turn affects the country’s growth.
He said, “We are disappointed that in a democratically governed country like Nigeria, children who were doing public examinations could easily be kidnapped and turned into sex slaves following what we have heard.
“We will not celebrate this year’s Children’s Day if the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls are not freed. This is the time government must rise up and tell the world that they are capable of protecting children.”
The commissioner of women affairs and social welfare, Dr. Glory Edet, speaking on the occasion urged parents and guardians to work towards ensuring that necessary measures were put in place to outlaw practices that were at variance with basic child rights.
Deputy Director, Child Development, Ministry of Women Affairs, Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Veronica Okon, also cautioned the children against keeping quiet over sexual abuse and advised them to report any of such cases to their parents or guardians immediately.
