From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Gov Bello
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Rehoboth Community Advancement Initiative (RECAN) has called on Kogi government to accelerate the realisation of the End Violence Against Children (E-VAC) campaign in the state.
Mr Nathaniel Abaniwo, Executive Director of RECAN made the call while on advocacy visit to Kogi Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Fatima Kabir-Buba, at the weekend in Lokoja.
Our Correspondent reports that Abaniwo who is also the Coordinator Association of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Nigeria (AONN) was accompanied on the visit by representatives of different Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) as members of the association.
Abaniwo said, “No doubt this visit was initiated to mobilise, sensitise and advocate for your support towards the on-going campaign to end violence against children in Kogi State scheduled for launch on May 27, this year.”
He said that RECAN was championing the campaign to end Violence Against Children in the state using key stakeholders including traditional rulers, religious leaders and line Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The RECAN Executive Director urged the state government to implement the six-point key priority actions contained in the 2014 survey carried out by the NGO to accelerate E-VAC campaign.
The priority actions, according to him, include implementing laws and policies to prevent and respond to violence; escalating efforts to prevent violence through creating a protective environment for children among others.
He said that the intensified campaign and advocacy was as a result of increasing threshold of reported cases of violence against children being reported by the Department of Child Development of the Women Affairs Ministry.
Responding, Hajia Fatima Kabir-Buba, the Commissioner, said the issue of vulnerable children in the society today was a very pathetic one and required stringent measures to ensure that violence against children was eradicated.
“As a matter of fact, child abuse right is uncalled for and unacceptable. We are going to work hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Justice to see that any individual that infringes on rights of children contrary ro the Child Right Act is made to face the full wrath of the law.
“We are going to step up the mobilization and sensitization campaign to end violence against children and as well, collaborate with the Ministries of Education and Environment to address the issue of hawking and arms begging”, she said.
