UNICEF says the 2021 Children’s Day, comes at a challenging moment for child rights in the country and the world, with the COVID-19 pandemic threatening gains made for children’s development.
The UNICEF Country Director in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, in a statement issued in Abuja, said that with the rising poverty, inequality and the pandemic, there has been a disruption to the essential services that secures the health, education and protection of children and young people.
“It has been a challenging year for us all with the COVID-19 pandemic not least of all, Nigeria’s children – and I want to commend efforts at all levels of Nigerian government and society to protect education, health, and protection services in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children. As we rightfully celebrate Nigerian children today, let us also remember that the COVID-19 crisis has been a child rights crisis – in Nigeria and around the world”. Hawkins said.
He said that the longer the pandemic goes on, the more intense the impact on women and children.
“On this Nigerian Children’s Day, let us all agree that we cannot let one crisis compound another. The pandemic is threatening decades of progress we have made for children.
Violence is perpetrated against one in four Nigerian children – and one in three Nigerian girls are sexually abused. This has only increased during the pandemic” The Country Director said.
He praised Nigerian children who he described as resilient, talented and aspire to do great things saying it is everyone’s responsibility to give them the platform and encouragement to do just that.
“Today of all days, we must commit to reinforce the protection mechanisms for all children. But we have learned from this pandemic too. One thing we have learned is that education takes place not only in schools. Children can and should learn both in and out of school.
“A learning continuum is critical, so that all children continue to get an education irrespective of their situation, location, or the pandemic” Hawkins said.
He also added that “As we celebrate our children today, we must act in their best interests and deploy innovative solutions to fast-track learning and health services to build back better, for every Nigerian child.”
He commended efforts made at all levels of Nigerian government and society to protect the education, health, and protection services in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children.
Emmanuel Ukoh
