Let The Rights Of Children Be Protected – Ajudua

By Patrick Ochei

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Hon. Princess Pat Ajudua has charged members of Delta State Child Rights Implementation Committee to vigorously ensure the protection of the rights of children in the State.

She made this call while playing host to members of the Committee who were on a courtesy visit to her office on Wednesday 29th November, 2023.

The Commissioner who was sympathetic to the plights of children in today’s clime, admonished members of the Committee to take their commitment seriously in order to rid our society of various forms of child abuses that are prevalent in our environment.

According to her, “This is very important Committee to government and I want every member to take it seriously. With the way things are happening to children these days, I want to see people who are sensitive to the plights of children here in the Committee; they must work with passion to change the narrative.

“Count yourself as one of those God has chosen to implement the child rights law in the State. It’s very important to see it that way, that God selected you to help us get it right with regards to child protection.

“Please take note that we are all in this. When you knock, I will answer. Mine is, let the rights of our children be protected. Raise alarm when necessary as Good Samaritans and be there for every child when you hear him or her cry in a way that is not pleasing to the ear. Just say something at every given time. You have me, call on me any time and I assure you, I will always answer”, Ajudua affirmed.

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Earlier in her address to the Commissioner, the Chairman of the Committee who is also the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs. Kevwe Agas had introduced the Committee members and had given report of the achievements of the Committee since inauguration in 2020.

She said, being a Committee backed by law under the Child Rights Law as domesticated in Delta in 2008, all that the Committee does is to ensure the protection of the child.

Agas briefed the Commissioner of the efforts made to revalidate membership of the Committee, set up the Committee at the Local Government levels and on proposed amendment to the law.

Her words, “We are pleased to come to familiarise with you ma, even though you are also a member by law. This is a Committee that is made up of professionals cutting across all segments of the society for the best and proper way of implementing the law. The Committee is domiciled in the Ministry of Women Affairs with the PS as Chairman.

“It became very imperative to set up the Committee at the LGA levels for the purpose of driving implementation to the grassroots. At today’s meeting, we had five HPMs in attendance, with others on representative capacities, being part of our agenda to get them acquainted with the workings of the Committee.

“On the aspect of the law, we observed it was voluminous and its terminologies not tailored to what is obtainable in Delta State, because it was enacted as an Act at the federal level before being domesticated here in the State. However, efforts are on to propose an amendment to that effect.

“We have also done membership revalidation to strengthen members’ commitments. We wrote to the organisations represented and they nominated their representatives, some old members and some new ones.

“We have decided to pay you this courtesy visit ma, having the assurance that your presence will do more to ensure the safety and protection of the child in Delta State. All we need is your support and the support of government to carry out our functions as prescribed by law. So far, the support is encouraging but we will need more of the supports from various authorities of government, including the security agencies and civil society organisations”, Agas posited.