Nigeria : Child First Conference: Preventing Abuse of the Nigerian Child Today organised by Stepping Stones Nigeria

Child First Conference Communiqué

The following communiqué is the output of the Child First Conference: Preventing Abuse of the Nigerian Child Today organised by Stepping Stones Nigeria in partnership with Mboho Akwa Ibom Association (UK & Ireland) on Saturday 30th May 2009 at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

The Nigerian High Commissioner, His Excellency Dr Dalhatu Sarki Tafida in his keynote speech applauded the initiatives of all stakeholders in staging the conference and noted various measures adopted by the Federal government since the introduction of the Children’s Welfare Rights in 2005

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, represented by Honorable Nsikan Udofia, outlined the positive steps that the government had taken since the screening of the Channel 4 documentary, Saving Africa’s Witch Children.

Key Recommendations

Ø Nigerian Federal Government should ensure all remaining states domesticate the Child Rights Act

Ø Individual State Governments should work with all stakeholders and commit sufficient resources to ensure that the Child Rights Act is fully implemented

Ø Widespread public enlightenment campaigns should be initiated by State Governments in Nigeria in order to prevent further child rights violations taking place due to the belief in child witchcraft.

Ø Child rights education should be integrated into the school curriculum

Ø Nollywood should pursue addressing the issues observed at the conference by promoting ‘counter-culture’ films and videos that promote the rights of children and deride violation and abuse of child rights

Conclusion

Finding lasting solutions to the violations of Nigerian children’s rights that take place in Nigeria and the UK is not going to be an easy task. However, the conference highlighted how a small group of committed individuals could succeed in gaining international attention to child rights violations and successfully pressure governments to enact legislation to protect and promote the rights of the child. The challenge now will be for all stakeholders to work together in order to ensure that government agencies in Nigeria and the UK fully implement policies and prevent further cases of child abuse such as Victoria Climbié and the so-called child ‘witches’ of Nigeria from arising in the future.