By Terna Injua
In continuation of this Year’s Children’s Day celebration, TEARFUND, UK based Christian Relief and Development Charity Organizations today put together a sensitization meeting to highlight issues affecting the welfare and development of children in Benue State.
The meeting held at Eya Hotel, Makurdi featured a children’s parliament, debates and presentations from the children as well as a panel discussion where all the participants advocated free education, rights laws for children and the call for sanction to parents who refuse to send their children to school.
Country Director of TEARFUND, Regina Afiemo represented by Project Officer, Olivia Shangbum stated that the aim of the sensitization meeting is to appeal to parents and other stakeholders to ensure that their children, neglect, abuse, violence and exploitation are eliminated in communities.
She maintained that over a period of time, the organization has implemented a series of programmes in the state targeting adolescents who have been trained as peer educators to engage other children in life skills and the community dialogue sessions.
The Country Director of TEARFUND explained that through the life skills and community dialogue sessions, the social behaviours and other negative aspects of the lives of the children have been transformed for the better and appealed to the people to ensure that the rights of children are protected at all times.
Director General, Bureau for International Corporation and Development, Leo-Angelo Viashima, represented by Head of Human Resources and Administration, Beauty Adaku, appreciated the fund for its impactful humanitarian services in the state, saying BICD would always partner such organizations to make life meaningful for Benue people.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Theresa Ikwue, represented by the officer in charge of Mama Abayol Children Home, Terngu Anagende assured of the Ministry’s commitment to ensure that every child in the state is given the opportunity to grow up educated and in a safe environment.
The Commissioner for Justice and Social Order, Professor Yangien Ornguga, represented by Assistant Director Court Litigation, Deborah Ikape, noted that all the child rights acts domesticated in the state would be implemented to ensure that the children are protected and granted access to justice.
Chairman, Joint National Association of People with Disabilities, Onah Adeyi and the Chairperson of FIDA in the state, Blessing Ityohuun called on the government to continue to strengthen policies that protect children from gender based violence, child labour, trafficking and other harmful practices.
Edited By Terna Injua
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