Terrorists have taken away National Children’s Day joy says Women Affairs Minister.

ABUJA (Women Affairs Ministry Report) 

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Zainab Maina has ascribed the shunning of the 2014 Children’s Day to the activities of terrorists, saying they took away the joy of the country and made it impossible for the nation to celebrate.

Zainab Maina, who spoke on Tuesday May 27, 2014 in Abuja at a press briefing on the 2014 celebration said that the abduction of the Chibok girls have drawn the nation backward and called on the insurgents to release the girls without further delay.

“I wish to call on members of the Boko Haram to please release our daughters to us without further delay. What you are doing is not Islamic and even in situations of war, women and children have immunity from attack and or abduction,” she stated. She also opined that the ministry in collaboration with development partners is working on a comprehensive psycho-social support, trauma management, counseling and empowerment programmes for the parents and the girls when they return; urging parents not to relent in their efforts to send their girls to school.

She identified the Children’s Day Celebration as usually a day full of fun and merriment for children across the country; stating that the terrorists have taken away peoples joys with the kidnap of the Chibok girls, who were supposed to celebrate with them. She expressed regret that at the time when the strategies for promoting the girl-child education to balance the gender gap in education are yielding significant results, the abduction of the Chibok girls has drawn the country back. The unfortunate incident, she noted should not deter Government in its commitment to the girl-child education.

While stating that Government at all levels is putting security measures in place to forestall future occurrences, the Minister inferred that the President is working assiduously to ensure that the abducted girls are returned safely to their parents and families. She also commended the supportive role of the various UN Agencies, NGOs, stakeholders and public spirited Nigerians that have contributed to the overall efforts in promoting the rights of children in Nigeria.

Speaking on the 2014 theme of the celebration tagged: “Unite for the Peace of Nigeria, Unite for children”, the Minister stated that the choice of the theme is intended to draw the attention of Nigerian people to the sustainable peace which will impact positively on the development of the Nigerian child. She added that the theme is a wake up call for issues of children to become more relevant to all Nigerians.