In an effort to halt the somewhat skyrocketing trend in child rights violation in the country, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has entered into partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to achieve a Nigeria void of child marriage, labour, malnutrition and other child rights violation by 2050.
The duo, to this effect, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday, February 9, 2023 in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Their partnership is expected to elevate conversations surrounding rights of children in the country, with the view to make it a national priority, calling on Government, Legislators, parents/ guardians, traditional rulers, politicians, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to put issues affecting children at the front burner.
Chairman of NESG, Olaniyi Yusuf at the MoU signing ceremony stated that it was crucial to support UNICEF’s quest to curb child rights violation and poverty because the success of children’s future was dependent on it:
“Today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders, and it is crucial that we tackle child rights violations and poverty in Nigeria to ensure their success. According to the National MPI 2022, two-thirds of our children are multi-dimensionally poor, with 51% of all poor people being children. This means over half of poor children lack the intellectual stimulation necessary for early childhood development.
“Our partnership with UNICEF is both timely and significant. UNICEF is a leading provider of humanitarian and developmental aid for children worldwide, and this launch represents a critical step towards a future where children’s rights are respected, and they receive the support they need to become productive citizens”, he said.
On her part, UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Cristian Munduate stressed that issues affecting children could not wait, therefore the time to break the cycle of poverty and other woes bedeviling the Nigerian child:
“UNICEF is dedicated to protecting children’s rights in Nigeria and worldwide, and helping them build a strong foundation for their future. Our partnership with NESG highlights the urgency of realizing this goal and will coordinate efforts to achieve child rights protection in Nigeria through effective public policies.
“Investing in children is investing in human capital. The right to health, nutrition and care, especially during the first 1000 days of life, can have a significant impact on a child’s ability to live, grow, learn, and rise out of poverty. It can break the cycle of poverty for families, communities, and countries, and shape a society’s long-term stability and prosperity”, she explained.
