By Emeka Nwokocha
Frontline rights defender, Citizens Rights Concern Enhancement Initiative (CRCEI), also known as Human Rights Protection Congress (HRPC), has called on Nigerian government, including states and local governments to prioritize the welfare of children and protect their rights, saying, “They are the future leaders of our society.”
CRCEI made the passionate call in Warri, today, Tuesday 27 May, 2025, as Nigeria commemorates Children’s Day.
CRCEI, in a statement to mark the celebration of Children’s Day, signed by its National Coordinator, Dcn. Monday Enudi, and National Secretary, Activist Kelvin Ejumudo, described Children’s Day as a special event that calls for a review of the plights of Nigerian children with a view to offering them better opportunities to live a safe and healthy life and also utilize their potentials for socio-economic development of the country.
The statement added, “Today, we collectively celebrate and honour Nigerian children in a special way. The theme of this year’s Children’s Day, “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation,” is a clarion call on us to strengthen our commitments to improve the well-being of Children and ensure protection of their rights as outlined in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, adopted by the UN General Assembly on 20 November 1959, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child that came into effect in 1989.
The statement noted further that, “These rights include the right to life, to health, to education and to play, the right to family life, rights to be protected from violence and discrimination, and the right to have their views heard.”
Continuing, the statement charged children to always respect and obey their parents and the laws of the country.
The statement continued, “As a dedicated and leading human rights defender in Nigeria, CRCEI will support every initiative and policies geared towards developing the Nigerian children to actualise their dreams and aid them reach their full potentials”.
The statement added, “This day presents us the opportunity to prioritize the needs of our children – the future leaders of our society and the beacon of hope for our fledgling country.
“Today also reminds us of the compelling need to invest in their growth and development to ensure they achieve their dreams.”
The statement emphasized that, “Every Nigerian child deserves access to quality healthcare, education, and a safe and secure environment to live in and achieve their fullest potentials in life.”
The statement continued with further call on the Nigerian governments (federal and states) to invest in key areas that impart positively on the overall wellbeing of children to guarantee a better future for Nigeria.
“Above all, we extend our heartfelt felicitations to all Delta Children. They are indeed blessings from God and they embody the hope for our great future,” the statement added.
