International Day Of The African Child ,NAWOJ, Rivers State Chapter Calls For Greater Interest In Children Welfare

The international day of the African child is a day set aside to highlight current situations and rights of the African child to quality education and better life, in addition to remembering the murder in Soweto, South African black children who marched in protest against apartheid inspired-education. As this day draws attention to the challenging lives of the African child, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Rivers state chapter calls for serious introspection and commitment towards addressing the numerous challenges facing children across the continent. As we celebrate with the theme, access to the child friendly justice system in Africa, NAWOJ is of the view that there is need to focus and promote specifically the rights of the child. NAWOJ Rivers state is also of the view that there is urgent need to raise worldwide awareness to assist children in need and prevent them from becoming victims of sexual abuses, child labor, abduction, child soldiers and more. Very importantly, let’s highlight the impact of conflict on children while also protecting used and abused children. At this point, it is worthy of note that every African child deserves the chance to develop to his or her full potential, as children and youth hold the keys to building the strong, peaceful societies envisioned as part of the 2030 development agenda. Okonkwo-Ogabu Lilian Chairperson, NAWOJ Rivers State