By; ALEX UANGBAOJE, Kaduna
Children in Kaduna on Monday, placed numerous demands before the State Government, as part of measures to address the impact of climate change, among them is sincerity in tackling the menace.
The children rolled out their demands at an event to mark the 2023 World Children Day with the theme ‘The Impact of Climate Change on Children, organized by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development (MHSSD), Ministry of Education and the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
Speaking on the impact of Climate Change on Child Nutrition, Education and Hygiene, 11 years old Nana Aisha, harped on the need for government to at all times be sincere in tackling issues of Climate Change for the sake of the younger generation.
According to her, community, engagement and empowerment means involving community to implement possible solutions to mitigate climate related risks and therefore, it is important that government carries the community along in trying to provide solutions to issues that affect them.
“Government should provide good agricultural tools, machineries and materials for farmer to be able to practise irrigation farming during the dry season. If there is no good farming tools, our parents will not be able to have enough money to pay our school fees.
“Goverment should always be sincere in making policies to prevent negative impacts of climate change on us the children. The leaders will always be talking how people will follow their commands, but the don’t talk about solutions for climate change. She laments.
Aisha, therefore called on the State government, UNICEF and other stakeholders to help strengthen Children Parliament in the state for them to have voice on things that concerns them.
“Government should involve children in decision making on all matters the concons then. our education, health, nutrition and hygiene are important so please government, community, and even parents parents us by doing what is right because we the leaders of tomorrow. She added.
On her part, Khadija Haruna, another 11 year old girl, noted that climate change is not only a threat to children but a reality because they stand to face more of its consequences.
“Climate change is one of, if not the biggest threat to children. The consequences of climate change cut across all spheres; from environmental, socio-economic and health of children and above all it threatens the children’s wellbeing, rights and protection.
“Many parts of Nigeria experience Flood and drought annually which cause displacement of families. When families are displaced, they stay either in schools or any unsafe shelter with their children. Unfortunately most times bad people take advantage of their situation and engage their children in Child labor or even rape them. Khadija, said.
She further explained that “In most cases climate change brings about consequences that led to poverty and hunger. Children in very poor communities stand more chances of facing neglect and exploitation and are likely not to go school, all.
“Children are at an overall increased risk of neglect by caregivers due to forced migration caused sa resuit of Climate related disasters. The neglect can be in both physical care as well as psychological nurturing.
“In fact, the socio-economic impact of climate change lead to many adverse mental health effects, stress, trauma and anxiety. The impact of climate change on child protection is too numerous to be mentioned but then, what is the way out?”
Khadija, therefore called for collective action to combat the impact of climate change on children and ensure children are safe, adding that there is need for action to incorporate children into policy and strategy development in both government and private sectors.
In her response to the children’s demands, the Commissioner, MHSSD, Hajia Rabi Salisu, assured the children of their safety against children abusers, rapists and any kind of maltreatment.
She disclosed that, state government is on the verge of completing the process of implementing Children Parliament which would be first of its kind in Northern Nigeria.
The commissioner promised that the state government will take all the children who are roaming off the streets and put them in school.
“We will do our best in protecting the children in the state, we are in the process of enrolling 10,000 out of school children and almajiri children and also give their mothers stipends to support their upkeep, after which task force will start enforcing the state’s zero tolerance for street begging and hawking by children.
