INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD: Govt. must ensure children’s protection – Dr. Conteh

Nigeria joins the global community in marking this year’s International Day of the African Child. The Day of the African Child dates to the 1976 uprising in Soweto, South Africa during the apartheid regime in that country.

Thousands of black children were murdered during the uprising, while they marched and demanded for their rights to quality education and to be taught in their own dialect. In response, Heads of States of the African Union met in Abuja Nigeria and a United Nations backed resolution was adapted in 1990, declaring June 16 as the Day of the African Child.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration which is “Access to Child Friendly Justice System in Africa”, the Chief, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Enugu Field Office, Doctor Ibrahim Contech lamented the high rate of rape and abuse of children in recent times. Dr.  Conteh encouraged government at all levels to ensure that children were protected and granted access to free basic education and healthcare, hygiene and safe drinking water.

The UNICEF Head in Enugu Field Office reminded leaders in the country, particularly in the South-East and South-South zones that they owed children the responsibility of protecting them from extreme hunger, killer diseases, discrimination and abuse.