The Street Children Parliament has warned that the continued neglect of the country’s over 20 million out-of-school children would make them soft targets for criminals to recruit as child soldiers, bandits and criminals that will constitute threat to society.
The Speaker of the parliament, Saifulai Karim Usman, issued the warning Wednesday in Abuja, at the commemoration of International Day for Street Children organised by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and Young Ambassadors Against Drug Abuse Initiative (YADDA).
In his speech read by his representative, Esther Nwankwo, Usman said a situation where a good number of children were out of school and roaming the streets would put the country at the risk of insecurity.
He called on authorities to mitigate the consequences authorities by enforcing the laws on the protection of children in Nigeria and Africa and ensuring that quality and affordable education with qualified teachers are provided for out of school children.
He lauded the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs for improving the plight of the vulnerable children through different programmes like the Alternate School Programme (ASP) to cater for the street children and the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme under the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).
In her remarks, the Head Special Duties Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Nadia Muhammed-Soso, said every year, organisations and individuals around the world celebrate the International Day for Street Children, in recognition of the humanity, dignity and defiance of street-connected children in the face of unimaginable hardships.
She lamented that millions of vulnerable children rely on the streets for survival and sustenance adding the children are owed the care, protection, and above all, respect due to all children.
“Just like all children, street children have rights enshrined in The Child Rights Convention, which has near universal ratification and support.
“In 2017, the United Nations have specifically acknowledged these children’s rights in a document called the General Comment (No.21) on Children in Street Situations,” Muhammed-Sosa said.
Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
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