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Health

Child labour: NGO urges full implementation of Child Rights Act

Child labour: NGO urges full implementation of Child Rights Act
By Ummul Idris
Protection
Abuja, July 5, 2018 (NAN) Girls and Youth Re-Integration Network (GYRIN), an NGO, has called for the full implementation of the Child Rights Act to discourage child labour in the country.
Mrs Kehinde Awujoola, the President of the network, made the appeal while fielding questions from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.
Awujoola spoke against the backdrop of rising cases of child abuse and human trafficking in the society.
She said that the abuses and injustices going on affect the child beyond imagination.
“As child labour is so widespread and so complex, the only way we can put a stop to it is to all act together, at the same time.
“Governments, workers and employers, organisations, law enforcement agencies, teachers, parents must take a stance together, across the world, to demand the elimination of child labour.
“Child labour is an abuse of children’s rights and it is a vast and urgent problem all around the world.
“Children as young as 10 are forced to spend long hours doing back-breaking labour, often in harsh weather and without access to health care,’’ the president of organisation said.
She said that every parent should prioritise their children education and take it that education is one legacy.
Awujoola also urged parents to support the education of their children and to recognise the future benefits of training them in such things as technology.
According to her, education is what the parents owe the child and not hard labour.
Besides, she called on government to help establish centres that provide schooling, recreational activities and health services for less privileged child.
She said that exploitation of children in the workplace must end and recommended for more children to be in school as the best defence against child labour. (NAN)
UMD/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

ICRC partners Nigerian Police on rights of detainees

ICRC partners Nigerian Police on rights of detainees
By Talatu Maiwada
Detainees
Abuja, May 31, 2018 (NAN) The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says it is partnering the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to evaluate how the legal system in Nigeria is handling the pre-trial of detainees.
Mr Eleojo Akpa, the Communication Officer, ICRC, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
Akpa said that the collaboration would examine the progress of the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS).
She explained that the PDSS was launched by the Nigerian Police force in September 2017, as a mechanism for delivering prompt legal services for arrested and detained persons in police formations.
She added that the partnership forum attracted over 150 people, including the Legal Department of the Police Force, the Office of the Vice President and representative of the Open Society Justice initiative.
Others are the Munk School of Global Affairs in Toronto, Canada, as well as law enforcement and legal experts from the ICRC.
According to Eloi Fillion, ICRC Head of Delegation, said the ICRC’s collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force was to promote respect for the law that protects the rights of persons in detention.
“We clearly recognise the enormous potential of this scheme to protect the rights of suspects through the promotion of a legally compliant pre-trial detention and collaboration among agencies administering criminal justice.
“The ICRC currently has trained over 4,000 police officers, promoting best practices during police operations and has an observer status on the advisory board of the PDSS.
“The ICRC, with the cooperation of the NPF, visited about 1,400 detainees at 11 police stations in seven states, including Abuja, Bauchi, Borno, Bayelsa, Kaduna, Plateau and Rivers,’’ Fillion said.
Mr Ibrahim Idris, the Inspector General of Police, said the current police management has zero tolerance on violation of the rights of citizens and corruption.
Idris said the PDSS was not only a partnership comprising of the police, the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria and the Open Society Justice Initiative.
He said the collaboration was designed to promote and protect the human rights of citizens.
NAN reports that the ICRC is working to protect and assist people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. (NAN)
TIM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Association advocates legislation for women rights

Association advocates legislation for women rights
NAN-H-7
Rights
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, March 7, 2018 (NAN) The Coordinator, African Women Lawyers Association, Abuja branch, Mrs Fauzat Bakrin, on Wednesday called on NGOs to push for legislation to promote the rights of women in the country.
Bakrin made the appeal while briefing newsmen in Abuja ahead of this year’s International Women Day themed “Time is Now: Rural and Urban Activists Transforming Women’s Lives’’.
She said women should synergise in rural and urban communities, saying there should be more rural advocacy and avoid round table advocacy.
“We should take our actions to the rural areas and educate them more about their rights not only as a woman, but as a human being.
“Men should also form most of our audiences at our fora, so that they will be more understanding of our cry for gender parity.
“I want to say finally that the International Women Day belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. Let us make it a collective effort,’’ Bakrin said.
She said women had suffered discrimination of all forms ranging from sexual abuses, domestic violence, inequality in pay packets and slavery.
“Over the centuries International Women Day have occurred with gathering of support of over million people all over the world.
“There are various women groups in the forum of NGOs fighting the course of women calling for accelerating gender parity though it won’t happen overnight to women across the world.
“From grass roots campaigns to global movements women’s activism over the decades for women’s rights calling out against all the discriminating acts against women,’’ she said.
Bakrin said the women empowerment would have a voice against discrimination, adding that they will be able to stand and fight for their rights.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Women’s Day is commemorated on March 8 every year. (NAN)
OEO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

FG task gender activists on girl child rights

FG task gender activists on girl child rights advocacy
NAN-HG-4
Advocacy
By Mustapha Sumaila
Abuja, Oct. 11, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Government on Wednesday charged women and girls right’s advocates in the country to take campaigns against violation of girls rights to the rural areas.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, gave the task at the 2017 International Day of the Girl Child organised by Plan International, Nigeria, in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the United Nations in 2012, set aside Oct. 11 as the International Day of the Girl.
The day aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face while promoting girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.
Represented by Dr Christopher Ugboko, Head of Gender, Adolescent/School and Elderly Division in the ministry, Adewole said that most discriminations and violations of girl child’s rights were done in the rural communities.
“As I speak to you, the case of female genital mutilation is still perpetuated in the villages and many girls and women had gone through such terrible experience.
“The practice is still on in so many communities in the name of culture. I am urging individuals and those working with non-governmental organisations to go to the villages and educate the rural dwellers against discrimination of girl child.
“I challenge our advocates and scholars to go to rural communities and do a research on their experiences and such should be presented to the policy makers.
“Our girls have special needs and the discrimination against them occurs in all spheres of life.
“Some girls are discriminated against by parents by not allowing them to go to school while they favour their male children,” he said.
Adewole said that his ministry had an adolescent unit where issues concerning girls were addressed.
Earlier, the Country Director of Plan International in Nigeria, Dr Hussaini Abdu, said the population of adolescents were increasing with limited targeted policies and programmes to support them.
Abdu noted that in Nigeria, millions of adolescent across different parts of the country were left without protection.
Some, he added, were forced into marriages and others were subjected to various forms of sexual and gender-based violence.
He explained that the event was to highlight the challenges and project them for national discourse and policy response.
According to him, his organisation which is in 70 countries, works to respond to challenges of children, particularly girls experienced. (NAN)
MS/OFN/MST
Edited by Felix Nwadioha/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Respect rights of patients, Medical Director advises

Respect rights of patients, Medical Director advises
NAN-HG-2
Patients
By Awayi Kuje
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Sept. 13, 2017 (NAN) Dr Joshua Ndom, the Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Nasarawa State, has advised nurses and other health workers to respect and protect the rights of patients.
Ndom gave the advice on Wednesday at the 17th Scientific Conference/ Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Body of Heads of Nursing Departments and Principals of Schools of Nursing in Federal Institutions (BOHNDPSFI) in Keffi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference titled: “Electronics Medical Records (EMR) in a Depressed Economy: The Role of Nursing’’, was delivered by Ndom.
“The right of the patients also need to be protected at all the time in order to avoid untimely death, because patients are kings in every health sector and a healthy person can become a patient one day but that is not our prayers.
The medical director also urged hospitals in the country to key in to Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system considering its enormous benefits in boosting the health data of patients.
“The choice of this conference topic is timely considering the advantages of Electronic Medical Records over manual records, hence the need for hospitals across the country to embrace it.
“So the pivotal role of Medical Record is in the centre of the cycle of the hospital and as we are aware that Electronic Medical Record (EMR) is a digitise means of records as everything about a patient is done electronically.
“EMR have a lot of advantages which include reduction in medical errors, no missing of patients information, cost effectiveness, increased clinical process and reduced waste of time, among others, so hospitals should key in to the system,’’ he said.
Ndom restated his commitment to continue to key in to positive health programmes and policies that have direct bearing on the lives of the staff of the centre and patients at large.
Earlier, Mr Bala Adams, Head of Nursing Services Department, FMC, Keffi, said that the theme of the conference was meant to synergise with all the participants so as to take back the message of EMR to their various management for proper patient records.
“This is the 17 year since the body came into being. It is a forum where members learn new trends in the profession, compare notes with their colleagues on happenings in their centres and learn from each other’s life experience,” he said.
While commending Ndom for improving infrastructure and facilities in the centre, he called for its sustenance.
NAN also reports that the conference brought together participants from various federal health institutions across the country.
The participants included the Registrar of Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), Alhaji Faruk Abubakar, among other health experts. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

FG urges state governors to adopt laws to end violence against children

FG urges governors to adopt laws to end violence against children

NAN-H-53

Laws

By Awayi Kuje

Lafia, May 27, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Government has urged state governors to adopt laws and policies that would bring an end to violence against children and other cultural practices that hinder their development.

The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, made the call in Lafia on Saturday at an event to mark the celebration of 2017 Children’s Day celebration with the theme “Child Protection and the Sustainable Development Goals: Issues and Opportunities”.

Osinbajo’s speech was read by the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Mr Bamaiyi Anangba, who also represented Gov. Tanko Al-Makura at the occasion.

The acting president renewed federal government’s commitment in ensuring that the rights of the Nigerian child are protected.

He urged other stakeholders to join in the fight against child violence and ensure that Nigerian children enjoyed their rights.

Osinbajo also disclosed that the federal government was providing one free nutritional meal to over 1, 274,620 pupils in 9,212 schools in nine states of the federation under its Home Grown School Feeding Programme.

The acting president also reaffirmed that the federal government would continue to accelerate programmes and investment through ministries and agencies to build protective services and empower families and children.

“As a country and as a government, we cannot afford to delay efforts that will ensure protection and development of our children through preventive approaches,” he said.

He appreciated security agencies for their efforts so far in protecting Nigerian children against danger and violence in line with the provision of extant laws, but urged them to redouble their efforts.

Osinbajo congratulated the Nigerian children as they celebrate their day.

Earlier, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Mary Enwongulu, admonished parents in the state to take proactive measures that would protect children against any form of violence.

“Children are social gifts and blessing from God. Let us recommit and rededicate ourselves to ensure their protection and wellbeing in all situations and circumstances,” she said.

The commissioner also renewed the state government commitment to continue to key in to good policies and programmes that have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state and Nigerians at large. (NAN)

AKW/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Children’s Day: FG committed to children’s right

Children’s Day: FG committed to children’s right

NAN-H-51

Commitment

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Abuja, May 27, 2017 (NAN) President Muhammad Buhari said on Saturday said the Federal Government was committed to ensuring the protection of children’s rights in the country.

Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Sen. Aisha Alhassan, said this at the Children’s Day celebration in Abuja.

He therefore advised stakeholders to renew their commitment, intensify partnership and collaborative effects in achieving the promotion of child rights.

The theme of this year’s Children’s Day is: “Child Protection and the Sustainable Development Goals: Issues and opportunities’’.

“Children are the greatest resources that any nation has. They are the future of families; the future of the society and the nation.

“They are also the foundation upon which the societies and nations are built,” the president said.

Buhari, however, enjoined the children to obey their parents and constituted authorities, and be law abiding.

He also advised children to take their studies seriously and shun all forms of indiscipline so as to be responsible and productive future adults for a better Nigeria.

He said the government was committed to end all forms of violence against children in the country.

The Representative of Smile project, an NGO, Dr Emeka Onoja, said violence against children should not be tolerated, saying all hands must be deck to stop the menace.

However, Onoja said the country must ensure that the Nigerian child was positioned to benefit from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Alhassan, who was represented by the Permanent Secertary of the ministry, Mrs Phylis Nwokedi, said the day was set aside by Nigerian government to honour children in accordance with UN General Assembly resolution.

The minister said the day was designed to recognise children through special events and to enable governments at both Federal and State levels to renew their unalloyed commitment to child rights.

In a sideline interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Chukwuemeka Onyinyechi from the Government Secondary School, Tudunwada, urged government to improve education standard by providing necessary teaching tools and conducive environment for learning.

Miss Esther Oluwafemi, from one of the private schools in Abuja that participated in the march pass, also urged government to support NGOs in fighting to end violence against children in country.

On his part, a parent, Dr Dolamu Jawando, called on parents and guardians to ensure their children were properly monitored and not left in the hands of maids or drivers.

Highpoints of the event was the march pass by various schools and the inauguration of End Violence Against Children Campaign in FCT. (NAN)

OEO/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

FIDA tasks stakeholders on rights of violated children

FIDA tasks stakeholders on rights of violated children

NAN-H-117

Violence

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Abuja, May 2, 2017 (NAN) The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) on Tuesday called on relevant stakeholders not to relent in the fight against violated children.

A statement issued in Abuja quoted the Vice President of the association, Mrs Inime Aguma, as making this appeal at the National Executives meeting held in Kwara.

The theme of the meeting was” Protection of children and young persons from sexual abuse”.

She called on agencies of government, ministries, security agencies, National Assembly, National Human Rights Commission, faith based organisations, Judiciary, CSOs and other relevant organisations at the federal and state levels to continue to fight for rights of children.

“FIDA Nigeria observes with dismay the incessant abuse of children as young as four months by persons who ordinarily should provide care, protection and security.

“FIDA Nigeria cannot afford to stay silent in the face of such dehumanisation and degradation of our future generation,” she said.

Aguma said the theme was to create a platform to build the capacity of members to continue to provide legal services to violated children.

She said the association has 33 branches providing free legal clinics where parents, guardians and good citizens of Nigeria can report cases of these menace, and members are obliged to ensure proper prosecution of these perpetrators.

“As lawyers, we believe that we are equipped to take action through the instrumentality of the law to make our society a better place for our children.

“For example, in Niger State, a 12-year-old boy was sexually abused by a man, the perpetrator was arrested, prosecuted and sentenced to one month imprisonment.

“The child victim eventually died from the severe injuries and damage from the assault,” she said.

Aguma said the perpetrator was re-arrested and is being prosecuted for murder for the death of the boy.

Besides, she called on all states in the country yet to adopt the Child Rights Act to domesticate and ensure its full implementation together with all laws concerning children especially the establishment of a family court in each state.

“We acknowledge the role of the media in projecting this menace especially the use of the social media in creating this awareness.

“We however appeal to all media outfits to continue in exposing the perpetrators of this menace.

“Let us break the silence and join FIDA Nigeria to say NO to all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation of all children in Nigeria,” Aguma urged. (NAN) OEO/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Judiciary

Judge’s health cuts short Yakubu’s fundamental rights hearing

Judges health cuts short Yakubu’s fundamental rights hearing

NAN-H-47

Health

By Wandoo Sombo

Abuja, March 8, 2017 (NAN) Hearing of the fundamental human rights suit instituted by Mr Andrew Yakubu, former Group Managing Director, NNPC, against the EFCC was on Thursday cut short following the judge’s ill health.

At the resumed hearing in the Federal High Court, Abuja, trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, after listening to submissions made by Yakubu’s counsel, Mr Ahmed Raji (SAN), complained about his swollen leg.

He expressed concern that since the condition of his leg was bad, he would not be able to continue with proceedings and subsequently adjourned to March 14 for continuation.

Before the adjournment, Raji told the court that Yakubu, who reported to the EFCC since Feb. 8, had been in detention and had not been charged to court.

He urged the court to disregard claims of the anti-graft agency that Yakubu’s continued detention was as a result of the ongoing investigation.

“The question to be asked is that can’t an investigation go on without a detention? It is my humble submission that investigation does not necessarily warrant detention as a mere allegation cannot justify incarceration.

“The constitution has provided a limited number of days for detention after which the suspect is to be charged to court or allowed to go.

“I submit that the purported warrant of arrest exhibited by the EFCC is irregular and constitute a gross abuse of proceedings of the court,” he said.

He prayed the court to discountenance the warrant and grant all the prayers Yakubu sought in his application.

Mr Johnson Ojogbane, Counsel to the EFCC, opposed to the Abuja division of the court hearing the matter on the grounds that it lacks territorial jurisdiction.

Ojogbane maintained that the facts relevant to the case took place in Kano which was outside the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

“The alleged breached took place in Kano and the right place to institute a fundamental rights action is in Kano,” he said.

It was at this point that the judge adjourned the matter on the grounds of ill health.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that EFCC had in a raid on Yakubu’s house located on Chiku road, Sabon Tasha area, Kaduna South Local Government Area, recovered the sum of $9,772,800 and another £74,000.

Yakubu who had since Feb. 8 been in EFCC custody approached the court through his counsel with a breach of fundamental human rights suit challenging his continued detention by the EFCC.

The former NNPC boss prayed the court for a declaration that he was entitled to the dignity of his person, personal liberty, freedom of movement, private and family life as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

Yakubu joined the EFCC and the Attorney-General of the Federation as first and second respondents in the suit.

He also prayed the court to declare that his continued detention by the EFCC without charging him to court or allowing him to complete his medical procedure in the United Kingdom was a violation of his rights.

He asked the court to award N1 billion in his favour against EFCC as damages and compensation for violation‎ of his rights and to also compel the respondents to tender a public apology to him in two widely published national daily newspapers.

He also prayed the court for an order enforcing his rights to personal liberty, dignity of human person, freedom of movement, private and family life.

This, he said, was by directing his immediate release from EFCC custody or admitting him to bail on liberal terms and allowing him to complete his medical treatment in the United Kingdom.

Yakubu also prayed for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC from further detaining him unlawfully.

However, in its opposition to the application, the EFCC‎ through a counter affidavit deposed to by one Waziri Adamu averred that investigation to the allegations against Yakubu was ongoing.

The counter-affidavit further said that the interim findings revealed that the monies found in Yakubu’s house were not gifts but were suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The EFCC said that at the time Yakubu was GMD of NNPC, he was a public officer and there were existing laws that barred public officers from accepting such gifts under any guise. (NAN)

WS/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

UNICEF task journalists on promoting child rights

UNICEF task journalists on promoting child rights

NAN-H-15

Rights

By Muhammad Nasir Bello

Sokoto, Feb. 22, 2017 (NAN) The UNICEF on Wednesday called on journalists to promote the rights of new-born and children in the country.

Mr Paul Mudzango, a UNICEF Nutrition Specialist, Sokoto Field Office, made the call at a two-day media workshop organised by the fund in Sokoto.

Mudzango said that the media was considered the mirror of the society, noting that they remained partners to educate and communicate, as well as champion human life.

He said that more than 80 per cent of under-five deaths in Nigeria were from preventable causes, adding that prevention requires more commitment from government, media and development partners.

“Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of newborn deaths in Africa, with a neonatal mortality rate of 37 per 1,000 live births and approximately 250,000 deaths occurring every year.

“The 2013 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey has shown that infants and under-five mortality rates improved to 69 from 75, and 128 from 157 per 1,000 live births, respectively.

“Neonatal mortality rate, however, only reduced marginally from 40 to 37 per 1,000 live births, contributing to 42 per cent of the under-five mortality compared to 29 per cent in 2013.’’

Mudzango noted that factors contributing to the deterioration of child health indicators included malnutrition, high incidence of diseases, poor environment and poor living conditions, among others. (NAN)

MNB/BRM/COF/MST

Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Muhammad Suleiman Tola