As the world marks Children’s Day Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has tasked the security operatives, families, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, and religious bodies to rise up against increasing violence against children.
In his Children’s Day speech made available to journalists late last night, Buhari said the increasing spate of violence against children was unacceptable and that decisive steps must be taken to ensure the protection of children in homes, schools, markets and worship centres.
According to him, the federal government, in its own effort to protect children from abuse and exploitation, has directed the management of all federal government schools to put in place adequate measures that will guarantee the security of their students.
He also said various states of the federation and management of all public and private schools should put the machinery in place for the protection of students.
Buhari advised parents to ensure that they send their children, especially the girl child, to school, observing that girl child education stems the tide of maternal mortality and child marriage.
He further tasked security agents to increase their efforts towards the protection of children.