15 November 2008
Lagos — Enugu State Government has declared that it will comply with some provisions on children's rights provided for in the 1999 Constitution.
Governor Sullivan Chime made the declaration in Enugu, while receiving the Country Representative of UNICEF, Dr. Sumi Sakai.
Chime explained that the passage of the Child Rights Bill into law would not be done in a hurry as some aspects of it "are not practicable".
The governor faulted the age limit of 18 years for a child, as contained in the Bill, saying most of the crimes committed in the country were done by persons of 16 years.
He said the government would do everything possible to improve the welfare of children through the free education programme already being implemented in the state. Chime also disclosed that the government was working out plans to commence the provision of free books and uniforms to children from next year.
He solicited the support of donor agencies for the sustenance of the state government's free maternal and child health care services.
According to the governor, available statistics have shown that no fewer than 300 women receive free ante-natal care daily at the Park Lane Specialist Hospital, while other government hospitals also attend to similar numbers.
Earlier, the UNICEF representative commended the government for its landmark achievements in the area of education and health, especially the provision of free ante-natal care and treatment of women and children under five years. Sakai, however, urged the state to pass the Child Rights Bill pending before the Enugu State House of Assembly, noting that such an action would go a long way to address problems of children.
He said that UNICEF would organise a special campaign on immunisation and de-worming of children in December and sought the support of the government.
Chairman of the Children's Parliament in the state, Master Ugochukwu Nweke, also requested for the passage of the Child Rights Bill.
He commended the government for the development of infrastructure which, he said, had improved the lives of women and children.
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