President Muhammadu Buhari has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to providing a protective environment for children to grow and attain their full potential.

The president made the commitment at the Children’s Day parade in Abuja on Saturday.

Mr Buhari, represented by the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Pauline Tallen, said the government had embarked on various projects to protect Nigerian children.

He said part of the government’s intervention was the school feeding programme, which had increased children’s enrollment in schools.

He said, “The government is providing one nutritious meal to increase enrolment, and it is gaining success.”

The president said the 2023 Children’s Day celebration was a special one as it coincided with the Inaugural Lecture and the beginning of a new government.

He further said, “Children are the greatest resources that any nation has and the foundation and building block upon which the future of any country is built.

“It is in line with this that we set aside this day to celebrate the protection and promotion of the rights of our children.”

Speaking on the day’s theme, “Investing in our Future means Investing in our Children”, the president said it was apt.

According to him, the theme is strategically chosen to enable stakeholders to discuss the problems faced by children in the country.

Mr Buhari, who said the problems faced by children ranged from physical to psychological, added that the 2023 theme was chosen to proffer solutions.

He said the theme would help with discussion around how parents could instil values in children.

He further said good parenting “promotes physical, emotional and psychological development of a child up to adulthood.

“Parents must therefore be conscious of their responsibility towards children as the good character begins from home.”

The president said there was an urgent need for parents and relevant stakeholders to instil values that would regenerate society for a better tomorrow.

“All organisations, the media, private sector, teachers and parents should renew their commitment to shaping the lives of children to inculcate the right values,” he said.

On implementation of laws like the Child Rights Act, Mr Buhari said it was gladdening that 35 states had adopted the Act.

He expressed optimism that Bauchi State, which had yet to adopt the Act, would do so soon.

The president said, All states are implementing the Child Rights Act and I am proud to say 35 states, including the FCT have domesticated the Act.”

On the Violence against Persons Prohibition(VAPP) Act, he said it had been fully domesticated by the 36 states.

He said parents, teachers, religious leaders, community leaders, and other stakeholders deserved commendation for helping to raise children that would make Nigeria proud.

Mr Buhari urged children to respect their parents and teachers, and other older persons in society as they continued to work for the actualisation of their dreams.

(NAN)