The country director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Mr. Peter Hawkins yesterday said Nigerian children are “resilient” and “talented” and always out to do great things.
Hawkins made the declaration in a statement as he joined in marking the Children’s Day celebration.
However, he said it is the government’s responsibility to give the children the platform and encouragement to grow.
He said this year’s celebration was commemorated in amidst challenging moment, with the COVID-19 pandemic threatening the gains made for children’s development.
The statement reads: “It has been a challenging year for us all with the COVID-19 pandemic and I want to commend efforts at all levels of Nigerian government and society to protect education, health and protection services in response to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on children.
“As we rightfully celebrate Nigerian children today, let us also remember that the COVID-19 crisis has been a child rights crisis – in Nigeria and around the world.
“Poverty is rising, inequality is growing, and the pandemic has often disrupted the essential services that secure the health, education and protection of children and young people.
“The longer the pandemic goes on, the more intense the impact on women and children.
“On this Nigerian Children’s Day, let us all agree that we cannot let one crisis compound another.
“Violence is perpetrated against one in four Nigerian children – and one in three Nigerian girls are sexually abused. This has only increased during the pandemic.
“Today of all days, we must commit to reinforce the protection mechanisms for all children.
“One thing we have learned is that education takes place not only in schools – children can and should learn both in and out of school.
“Nigerian children are resilient, talented and aspire to do great things. And it is the government’s responsibility to give them the platform and encouragement to grow.
“As we celebrate our children today, we must act in their best interests and deploy innovative solutions to fast-track learning and health services to build back better, for every Nigerian child.”
