By Queen Kunde
The Taraba State Coordinator of Child Protection Network, Mr. Boniface Koson has called on relevant Stakeholders to support the Child Protection Network to protect rights of Taraba children to enable them attain their full potential.
Koson made the call in Jalingo the Taraba State capital during a two-day step down training organized by the Network said that the organization is set up to advocate and raise awareness on care for children and their rights to be protected from any harm.
He explained that the objectives of the training is to bring the issues of child rights forward for decision makers, relevant agencies to take positive action to safeguard and protect the rights of the future generation.
According to him “the level of child destitution, using children to hawk wares by parents and number of out of school children is unacceptable. We call on the government and parent, the entire members of the society to take key decisions to protect the children, we must prioritize issues relating to child development and secure them at all times”
Also speaking, the representative of the State Ministry of Justice who also doubled as FIDA official at the meeting, Barrister Sharon Maijankai said that the law has made provisions to protect the child but the non-implementation of such legislations has continued to impede on the enjoyment of their fundamental rights.
“There are legislation in the state that protects the child, the lack of enforcement of such legislation has let the perpetrators of child rights in the state off-the hook, a lot of children abuses are going on in the state, although the ministry and FIDA is doing a lot to curb such abuses, with the strengthening of the Child protection Network in the State we will protect the Taraba Children the more” she added.
On her part, the facilitator of the training, Beatrice Linus who said that government, Civil Society and security agencies must work together to curb child abuses which she said is rampant in the state, adviced parents to be more vigilant on the happenings around their Children.
“Children have a right to be heard, most times we ignore the red flags, parents must listen to their children when they try to point out likely danger they perceive from a likely offender, sometimes the offender could be a relative, let’s keep close watch to protect our children” she opined.
A gender activist and Educationist, Mrs. Iswatu Balutu Danladi lauded the training for members of the Taraba Arm of the Child protection Network saying it is timely, added that child trafficking, number of out of school children, abuse of minors and other vices is a cause of concern in Taraba State. She advocated for stringent measures against such acts.