Lagos, UNICEF Pledge To Protect Children’s Rights

Oluchi Chibuzor

The Lagos State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have both pledged their commitments to ensure climate related issues do not affect the rights of children in the state.

They both stated this yesterday at the celebration of 2024 World Children’s Day event held in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development,  Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, said  the  global celebration symbolises the unity and commitment of world leaders to protecting children’s rights around the world. He said children deserve the best for adequate survival, development, protection and participation in matters that affect them.

According to him, “His Excellency sent his regards and appreciations to UNICEF Nigeria and in particular, the UNICEF Lagos field office for their continuous support to the State in the area of capacity building for social welfare officers.”

 “Stakeholders and the various activities aimed to end violence against children and harmful practices that affect the survival and development of children.

“We hope for a continuous partnership. The Ministry of Youth and Social Development in its responsibility and alliance to the vision of the Governor would continue to be in the forefront of ensuring a safe environment for Children. We are committed to upholding the provisions of the Child Rights Law of Lagos State for the benefits of Children.”

Speaking in the same vein, the Chief of UNICEF Field Office for South-West Nigeria, Celine Lafoucriere, said according to the Children’s Climate Risk Index (CCRI), Nigeria is among the top three countries worldwide where children are at highest risk from the effects of climate change.

She highlighted the long-term consequences of climate change to include food shortages, hunger, malnutrition, and displacements.  According to her, “Over 100 million Nigerian children are increasingly exposed to extreme weather patterns that cause heavy rainfall, flooding, storm surges, and elevated temperatures, contributing to frequent disasters that impede their rights to good health, nutrition, access to water and hygiene as well as education.

“As adults, today pledge to be in full support of finding sustainable and viable solutions, from fomenting a circular economy to community driven climate actions, to protect your rights and ensure you can learn and thrive in a prosperous environment.”

Lafoucriere  also said considering the long-term consequences of climate change, it demands an urgency for collaborative efforts to address climate change for the well-being of Nigerian children.

“Today’s event is the biggest, most important day of the year for UNICEF as it aligns with our number one mission to advocate for the rights of every child to survive in good health with access to good nutrition, water and sanitation, legal protection and education, including a healthy environment.”

“Child rights are human rights and are non-negotiable. Upholding these rights is essential for creating a better world, now and for generations to come. UNICEF will never cease to collaborate with relevant government arms, the private sector, and young people on initiatives that aim at creating a safer planet for children,” she said.

World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s global day of action for children, by children, marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.