Chibok girls would be brought back to their families - Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that efforts are underway to bring an end to violence against Nigerian children who are abused in diverse ways.

The president announced the measure during the 2015 Children’s Day celebration in Enugu on Wednesday.



Jonathan, whose address was read by the Commissioner for Gender in Enugu State, Mrs Ndidi Chukwu, said that his administration was working hard to bring the issue of violence against children to the barest minimum in the country.

He called on the incoming government to do the country proud by building on his administration’s effort to fight violence against children.

The president also said that the Chibok girls would be brought back to their families based on the effort of his administration.

He commended the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for its effort in curbing child abuse in the country.'

In her own address, the commissioner said it was important to address the issues and challenges against children for a violence-free society.
Chukwu called on care givers and the government to rise up and fight violence against children in the country.

“It is our collective responsibility to eliminate all forms of violence against children. It is only by doing this that we can be assured of a holistic future for our children,” she said.

The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Okoro, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mr Augustine Ude, said no violence against children was justifiable.
He added that the Enugu State school curriculum had been structured to train and socialise children without exposing them to violence.

In her goodwill message, the Enugu Zonal Commander of National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic In Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs Nkiruka Michael, said that violence against children was inhuman, adding that parents should ensure proper upbringing and protection of their children.
She said that sexual abuse, child trafficking and assault on children either at home, schools or churches by guardians, parents, teachers and peer groups should be stopped.
More than 85 schools participated in the march-past to mark the celebration.