Jonathan Tasks Parents, Others On Peace

In line with the theme for the 2012 Children’s Day celebration “let’s build a culture of peace and security” Parents and care providers have been charged to teach the language of peace to their children and wards.

The Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, represented by his Deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, gave the charge earlier in the week while delivering the President’s message, during the march past marking the 2012 Children’s Day Celebration at Isaac Boro Park Port Harcourt.

The message which warned that children be kept out of conflicts, and not be targets and victims, sued for a language of peace, patriotism and peaceful co-existence, while also calling on Parents, guardians and caregivers to inculcate and counsel children on the culture of love, peace and how to protect themselves in the face of violence, insecurity as well as shun acts of violence in their best interest.

The message stressed that without adequate investment in our children, we cannot hope for a transformed Nigeria of our collective dreams and aspirations.

He pointed out that the federal Government’s commitment to protecting the rights of the child, has informed its alliance with the state governments in building 400 schools in the Northern States, for over 9 million almajiri children.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Social Welfare and rehabilitation, Mr. Joe Poroma, has said that children are a vulnerable group that must be protected from exploitation, trafficking, neglect, abandonment, street hawking, kidnapping terrorism, child labour, rape and other forms of abuse”, urging a revitalization of the true African family institution.

He stated that the state government is child-friendly and is committed to providing a suitable and conducive learning environment for the children, adding that government is focused on full implementation of the Child Right Act in the state.

Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi