…to reduce out of school children/children on move and other vulnerable ones
The Honourable Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice (HAGF) Abubakar Malami SAN today Thursday, 5th August, 2021 inaugurated Committees on justice for children coordination forum to reduce out of school children/children on move and other vulnerable ones in Abuja.
In his Keynote address delivered by his representative, Special Assistant to President in the Office of the HAGF on Research and Special Duty, Professor Mohammed Lawal Ahmadu, stated that every day, Millions of Children in Africa and around the world have their rights violated, adding that they are denied access to school, health care and social benefit.
Not only these, they are equally unduly separated from their families, and they are affected by exploitation, abuse and violence in their homes and communities.
Malami specified this at the Project Launch of the EU-UNICEF Access to Justice Programme for Children on the move and other vulnerable Children and Inauguration of the Justice for Children Co-ordination Forum.
He said “everywhere, group of children are being left behind as victims of prejudice and discrimination. Among the most vulnerable are children born into poverty, children in detention, children on the street and children with disabilities”.
Adding that only a fraction of children whose rights are violated come forward and seek redress and even viewer obtain an effective remedy.
“Today, a large number of children in Nigeria are survivors of violence, including sexual violence but very view of these cases make it to the court rooms. These are issues to be addressed at this programme “he explained.
The HAGF also informed that the overall objective of the project is to improve children’s access to child-friendly justice through age and gender-sensitive, juvenile justice mechanisms and alternatives to detention for children on the move and vulnerable children in Nigeria.
Malami who promised that the administration would continue to do its best in the protection of the right of children and vulnerable persons said, recently, he disclosed to the Executive Secretary of the National Human Right Commission (NHRC) Mr Tony Ojukwu that his office is currently engaging respective Heads of Court to establish specialised Courts for the speedy and seamless trial of Rape/Gender-Based Violence Offences in the country.
In addition, the Honourable Minister said, FMOJ has continued to partner with UNICEF and other donor Agencies, and the respective Heads of Courts to train Judges and magistrates on the implementation and enforcement of the Child Right Act especially in the arrear of the effective use of family Court Rules and Procedures.
“This training which commenced in June 2021 is aimed at strengthening Justice System towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 16.3 which is promoting the Rule of Law at National and sub-national levels to ensure equal access to Justice for all children” he disclosed.
Malami also noted that his office in partnership with UNICEF launched the first phase of the Amnesty and the decongestion programme for children deprived of liberty during Covid-19 and beyond.
He added that, the Ministry commenced the second phase in May, 2021 with some Juveniles from Ogun State Borstal Institute currently undergoing assessment exercise to determine their psychological needs for release and reintegration.
The inaugurated entities are drawn from the FMOJ, FMWA, LACON, NAPTIP, NHRC, NSCDC, NIALS, NJI, NBA, FIDA, UNICEF, UNODC, UNDP, OHCHR, IOM, ILO, University of Abuja and the Buni Yadi Foundation.
HAGF after the inauguration of about 24 Member Committee, expressed appreciation to the UNICEF for its thoughtful initiative which he said has added a great value to Justice Sector architecture.
He also enjoined the Committee Members to be diligence in carrying out their mandates so that the project would yield its desired outcome.
In his goodwill Message, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) representative in Nigeria Mr. Oliver Stople who was represented by Hadiza Abba said it has partnered with UNICEF for many years to promote justice for children around the world and to ensure that children are better served and protected by justice system within the framework of UNODC’s Global Programme to end Violence against Children.
He said UNODC is looking forward to continuing its strong cooperation with all the Stakeholders.
The UNICEF representative, Mrs. Nkiru Maduechesi explained that the road map in which the project would be carried out is grouped into three pillars; Legislation and policies, alternative care option and access to child –friendly justice service.
In his goodwill message,Barr. Keneth Egbuchua who represented the Inspector General of Police (IGP), said there is a need to sensitize the adult and the children on their right or other problems that may affect the right of the child. She added that the problems that children face in term of access to justice is that the law should be made more accessible through campaigns, use of social media and distribution of informative materials, brochures, pamphlets, posters etc. to the public and made accessible to the children. Also that law related education should be introduced in school curriculum at all levels of the educational system.
That, according to him would encourage the development of the culture of lawfulness.
Speaking, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs Dame Pauline Tallen, represented by Mrs Mariam Shaibu of Child Development Department advocated that Vulnerable Children deserve equitable access to justice as access to justice is a fundamental right.
The Executive Secretary, National Human Right Commission (NHRC) Tony Ojukwu is of the opinion that, focus should be on ensuring the best interest of the child as a primary consideration in compliance with the the Child Rights Convention domesticated in Nigeria as the Chid Right Act (2003) as well as 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and its target 16.2 that calls for the elimination of all forms of violence against children.
Contributing, the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS)represented by Daniel Odharo said it is gratifying to note that the first objective of the NCoS Act, 2019 is to ensure compliance with International Human Right standard and good correctional practices.
“It is on this note therefore, that NCoS is greatly supportive of this initiative which in my view, could not have come at a better time than now, when the country is plagued by numerous security challenges”.
Modupe Ogundoro
Deputy Director (Press)
