For promoting various programmes aimed at promoting the welfare and rights of children, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka has honoured Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, Enugu state during the maiden National Summit on Child Rights held recently at the Awka campus of the university.

The two day programme also featured training on child rights laws for members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Anambra State Council and inauguration of Child Rights Clubs in Anambra Schools.

Declaring the event open, Ag. Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi represented by the Director, Academic Planning, Prof Angela Ufele-Obiesie appreciated the efforts of UNICEF towards hosting the summit which is the first of such in Nigeria adding that today’s global concern on Child rights sprouted from the aversion of the vulnerabilities to which children were exposed in Europe during the second World war.

The Acting Vice chancellor stated that the 21st century has seen the emergence of a new technology and social milieu different from that of the previous age adding that the information age is characterized by rapidly bourgeoning information and communication technologies which are also available for children.

She called for the new developments to be deployed for the benefit of the Nigerian child through exposure to high quality education resources while protecting them from the numerous threats inherent in the digital technology such as internet addiction that could lead to poor academic performance.

Keynote Speaker, Dean, Faculty of Law, NAU, Prof V Ogugua Ikpeze posited that both male and female children should be given equal opportunities to enjoy their fundamental human rights cum Child rights saying that negative cultural practices like female genital mutilation should be abolished.

“Let us be vigilant to protect our children because child molestation may be ongoing behind your curtain perpetrated by a family member, friend, Neighbor or stranger. Watch when that child changes behavior and know the next step to take before the damage becomes irrecoverable,” Ikpeze added.

Chairman of the National Summit on Child Rights Planning Committee, UNIZIK , Dr Obiora Edogor in his address disclosed that in the last two years, t UNIZIK has joined in the growing global trend of giving more attention to studies on child rights as one of the means to ensure better protection of children.

He said the development is to consistently help in preparing children for the humongous opportunities and serious challenges of the information age.

Edogor said the abysmal situation of the Nigerian child even after over twenty years of the enactment of the Child Right’s Act 2003 is worrisome and should be redressed without further delay. This he said is to provide a conducive environment for the Nigerian child to thrive academically, technologically, scientifically, socially, politically, economically, culturally, etc.

He thanked the immediate past Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Esimone who approve the Summit and the invaluable support of the incumbent AG. Vice Chancellor who made it happen eventually.

“The summit planning got more fillip with Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi’s assumption of office as the current Acting Vice-chancellor. As a scholar whose research interests traverse human rights, which child rights is a sub-category of, she embraced the summit with a motherly passion and speedily gave birth to it. In fact, our Acting Vice-chancellor has demonstrated that she is indeed a mother and a scholar with unconcealed bias on human rights, child rights inclusive. With the hosting of this summit, she has contributed her quota in Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s lofty achievements in promotion of studies on child rights”

“I would want to arguably state that, the Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s soil is manured with staff that exude enthusiasm for child rights as I got immersed into it from the university. I could vividly recall how Prof. Chinyere Okunna, first female professor of mass communication in sub-Saharan Africa FNGE, FNIPR, FACCE, NUJ Matriarch, implanted in me the mustard seed and zeal for studies on child rights. Today, this summit is one of the fruits of that Okunna’s mustard seed. Also, the child rights club to be inaugurated in this event in all public secondary schools within Anambra State emanated from the same Okunna’s seed”

“In a nutshell, the gamut of attention that Nnamdi Azikiwe University has given to child rights should be religiously sustained for better awareness about the subject matter. All communities, parents, governmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, as well as every other stakeholder on child rights in Nigeria should take positive and consistent steps in the protection of children to avoid making the country a liability to posterity. So, no stone should be left unturned by all stakeholders towards putting the Nigerian child in the vantage position to profit from the bounties of this age” Edogor said.

Presenting a paper titled “Taking Sustainable Positive Actions for the Nigerian Child in the Information Age”, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, Chief of UNICEF Field Office , Enugu who was represented by Dr Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe during the Summit said that when adults make decisions, they should think about how their decisions will affect children.

“All adults should do what is best for children. Governments should make sure children are protected and looked after by their parents, or by other people when this is needed. Governments should make sure that people and places responsible for looking after children are doing a good job.”

“The Convention on the Rights of the child is very intentional on who child is, that is children below 18 years of age. Article 23 unequivocally maintained that every child has the right to an education. Primary education should be free. Secondary and higher education should be available to every child. Children should be encouraged to go to school to the highest level possible. Discipline in schools should respect children’s rights and never use violence”she said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Paul’s University and NUJ Matriarch, Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna, in her paper titled ‘The Role Of The Nigerian Media In Bridging The Urban And Rural Divide For Children In The Digital Age’, tasked journalists to be internet savvy and use their power to help children enjoy their rights as enshrined in the Child rights law including access to the digital space.

Prof Okunna charged them as gatekeepers to open doors of access to quality information in the digital space and discourage anybody that who does not want children both in the rural and urban areas to access the information opportunities provided by digital ICT.

Contributing, Executive Chairman ASUBEB, Dr Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi, said:” We are interested in children and we fight for children, Children must be treated with respect, equality, they have the fundamental rights to life, protection, education. I thank UNICEF, in Anambra State, Governor Chukwuma Soludo’ has done a lot to ensure that out of school children are back”.

Dignitaries and Resource persons who added their views towards promoting Child Rights in the present information age during the 2 Day summit include, National Summit Chairman, President Nigerian Bar Association NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe represented by Former NBA Awka Branch Chairman, Barr. Amaka Ezeno, President, Associations of childhood Educators of Nigeria, Prof. Ngozi Anyikwa, Head, Department of Mass Communication, NAU, Prof Allen Adum, The Nigerian Union of Journalist State Chairman, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, Mr. Christopher Molokwu, represented by Ms Sandra Akpan.