L-R, Mandate Secretary for FCT Women Affairs, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Pastor Stephen Olusola, Head of Operation, Vine Heritage Home Foundation (VHHF), Gwagwalada during a visit to the home recently.
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Federal government is set to undertake a comprehensive review of the 2003 Child Rights Act (CRA) to address current challenges in child protection and welfare.
Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, made the disclosure during her recent visit to an orphanage in Gwagwalada, according to a statement by Director of Information and Public Relations, Najaatu Alwan Hassan, the emphasised the administration’s commitment, stating, “I can assure you that we are 100 percent committed to ensuring that we do the necessary review for the legal instrument, so that we are well protected.”
This review is part of a broader directive from First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, aimed at gaining firsthand knowledge for refining child protection protocols.
The CRA, which guarantees children’s rights in Nigeria, has been criticized for its outdated provisions.
During her visit, Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted that the Federal Capital Territory will serve as a pilot location for these reforms. “We are reviewing even adoption protocols and orphanages certification because there is a need for absolute protection and zero tolerance of any abuse on its citizenry,” she added.
She acknowledged the vital role of media in advocacy efforts: “The media are strong instruments in the area of sensitization and advocacy to achieve the level of protection needed for our citizens.”
Mandate Secretary for FCT Women Affairs, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, echoed this sentiment: “We are simply here in line with our call to action, to present the FCT as a project pilot location for the enactment.”
She highlighted that there are currently 91 orphanages in the territory undergoing review.
“There are 91 orphanages and we are doing a full review with the traditional rulership and the whole architecture”.
She said that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs is the first platform of reference for the intervention of every child, leaving no child behind and leaving no institution representation of child welfare behind in putting together the intervention.
The rising rates of child abuse and exploitation have prompted urgent calls for reform.