National Children’s Parliament has urged stakeholders to build a Nigeria where no child faces violence, forced labour or exclusion.
The Speaker of the parliament, Progress Umoh, made the call at the 2025 National Children’s Day in Abuja on Tuesday.
Umoh said that children craved for a country where every child has the tool to learn, dream and grow to full potential.
She pointed out that many children face violence, fear and exclusion in spaces meant to nurture them, adding that children demand more than promises.
“We demand protection. As Nelson Mandela said — a society’s soul is measured by how it treats its children.
“Let us honour that truth with action.
“As the speaker of the National Children’s Parliament, I stand before you not just as a young Nigerian but as a voice for millions of children whose rights and future depend on meaningful action.”
She said that the Children’s Parliament serves as vital platform where young voices unite to address critical issues, propose solutions and drive change.
According to her, children deserve a seat at the table in shaping policies that affect them.
She noted that the theme of the global observance — “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation”, is an urgent call to action.
She, therefore, called for full implementation of the National Policy on Safe Schools to ensure every child learns in a safe environment without fear.
The speaker also stressed the need to strengthen child rights advocacy clubs in rural and underserved areas.
This, according to her, will empower young leaders to speak up.
She explained that “while initiatives like the National Commission for Almajiri Education are commendable, we need bolder steps to rescue out-of-school children, providing them education, safety and skills for the future.
“Programmes like the Girl-Led Movement proves that when children lead, change happens, such
initiatives must include all children, ensuring their voices shape decisions about their lives.”
Responding, President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the rights, dreams and future of every Nigerian child.
Represented by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, the president described children as “the precious part of the nation’s fabric.”
Wike was also represented at the event by the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud.
Tinubu added that children are also the heartbeat of Nigeria’s future and custodians of tomorrow’s promise, innovation and leadership.
He said “I, therefore, reaffirm today, our constitutional, moral and intergenerational duty and commitment to safeguard every Nigerian child, protect their rights and nurture their dreams.”
Similarly, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said children’s day serves as an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to uphold the rights of every child to survive, thrive and fulfil their potential.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim added that the day also presents an opportunity to reflect and renew commitment to the rights, protection and wellbeing of every Nigerian child.
She said the Federal Government would strengthen the Nigeria Children’s Parliament to institutionalise child participation in governance.
“We are also developing the institutional framework for a National Child Protection and Development Agency.
“This strategic action aligned with the ministry’s Five-Year Strategic Roadmap to ensure accountability, coordination and sustainability in child welfare programming.”
On her part, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, the Pioneer Mandate Secretary, FCT Women Affairs, said “we are here to recognise the significance of our children in the family circle and the society at large.
“Importantly, we are here to stress the obvious fact that our children are great asset to us, they represent our hope, our continuity, our vision and most importantly, the future of our dear country, Nigeria.
“Today, as we gather to celebrate our children, we call on our teeming students in FCT to rise against bullying and speak up whenever confronted with this radical menace.
“I urge you to avoid bullying and channel all your energy to academic resourcefulness to shape a better tomorrow for yourselves,”(NAN)
