The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has called for improved efforts at protecting children’s rights as well as putting in place measures that will enhance their welfare.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Rasak, to commemorate the Children’s Day celebration, the Lagos Speaker also called on children to do away with crimes and violence. He reminded the young ones that shaping their character and preparing themselves for the challenges of nation building should be paramount to them rather than engage in activities that would hinder their development.
Obasa stated that the realisation that children are future leaders of tomorrow makes it imperative for individuals, government at all levels and corporate organisations to put all hands on deck and improve on activities aimed at protecting the rights of children.
“Our children are future leaders of tomorrow and the only way we can assist them to attain their full potentials is by protecting their rights,” he said.
The Lagos Assembly Speaker stated that it is important for every child to go to school expressing dismay at seeing children of school age hawking or doing other menial jobs during school hours when they are supposed to be in their various classrooms noting, “I’m always disturbed seeing children of school age hawking or doing other things while they should be in school especially when education is free in Lagos State”.
He also called on parents and guardian to be vigilant and ensure that they monitor their wards’ movement and the company they move with.
“The country is faced with various security challenges and children are now being used as agents of destruction. It is saddening to see children being used in suicide bombing, kidnapping and armed robbery.
“This is a critical period in our history and the parents should rise up to the challenge. It is important that we as parents must monitor our children and ask question about the friends they keep,” he said.
Obasa stated that the state government particularly the state House of Assembly is committed to putting in place measures that will continue to enhance rights of children.
He reiterated the efforts of the state government in ensuring that children are protected under the law against molestation and other acts that can negatively affect the realization of their dreams, citing the state’s Child Rights Act of 2003 as one of such efforts put in place by the state government through the lawmaking effort of the state
Assembly.
The Assembly Speaker also advised children to face their studies and engage in activities that will allow them realise their potentials.
“This is a very critical period in Nigeria hence our children must be wary of who they associate with. It is important for you to associate with right kind of people and engage in activities that will make you contribute positively to nation building,” he said.
