FG partners Niger govt on child right abuse

THE Federal Government says it will collaborate with the Niger government in the eradication of child abuse in the country.

Towards this, the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture’s Central Office in Niger would make available its resources to fight the growing menace in the state.

Alhaji Bawa Mokwa, Zonal Coordinator, in charge of North Central Office of the Ministry, disclosed this during a visit to the Niger State Child Right Agency (NSCRA) on Thursday in Minna.

He said that the ministry would assist in the areas of sensitisation of the public and make available its equipment to assist the agency function effectively.

“We will provide the agency with our facilities in discharging its duties and also assist by making the public aware of the need to support the agency in eliminating this menace from the society,” he said.

Mokwa explained that the Federal government attached importance to issues of children and had recognised the activities of the agency in protecting the rights of the vulnerable group in the state.

He also urged the agency to quickly address the issue of Almajiris in the state and appealed to it to incorporate them into formal schools.

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Responding, Mrs Mairam Kolo, Director General of the NSCRA, said that the collaborations would improve the agency’s operational efficiency.

She said the agency would make use of the ministry’s facilities in sensitising the public on the need to support it through sharing of information on child rights abuses in the state.

Kolo added that the ministry’s support would help to overcome the agency’s challenges due to lack of effective and adequate equipment to carry out its functions.

“This collaboration means that Gov. Abubakar Bello has done well and is getting recognition at the Federal level through the creation of the agency, which has been assisting in treating child abuse cases.

“This also indicates that President Muhammadu Buhari appreciates and is taking cognisant of the activities of the state government.

“I am extremely excited because I now know that the battle of child abuse is as good as conquered,” she said.

The Director-General solicited the support of individuals and corporate bodies in fighting the menace of child abuse in the state.

She disclosed that a committee chaired by Alhaji Isah Ladan, Secretary to the State Government, had been constituted to proffer lasting solution to the challenges of the Almajiris.