By Asma’u Ahmad
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commended the Plateau State Government for launching an action plan to end violence against children.
The UNICEF Communication Officer, Bauchi Field Office, Mr. Samuel Kaalu, made the commendation in a statement in Jos.
He said the launch of the plan on September 29 enlisted Plateau as the fourth state in Nigeria to launch the campaign.
Mr. Kaalu said action to start the campaign was based on a survey conducted in 2014 by the National Population Commission (NPC) with the support of UNICEF and other agencies.
He said the survey had revealed high prevalence of violence against children in Nigeria, which necessitated the launch of a National Action Plan by President Muhammadu Buhari in September 2015.
“UNICEF commends Plateau government’s determination to protect and preserve the rights of children backed-up by the establishment of family courts in the state,” Kaalu said.
He said Plateau also announced a set of priority actions to be taken by the state, civil society, development partners, communities and individuals to safeguard the future of children.
He said the action plan, consisting of short-term and long-term strategies to effectively prevent and respond to violence against children, would stand the test of time.
Kaalu said UNICEF would render all necessary support Plateau to ensure violence against children was reduced to the barest minimum not only in the state, but in Nigeria.
He further applauded the European Union and all other international agencies for their support in efforts to end violence against children in Nigeria.
