Leah Sharibu:- Senate To Support Zamfara Orphans With Cash Or Kind

Leah Sharibu:- Senate To Support Zamfara Orphans With Cash Or Kind

OrderPaperToday – The Senate has resolved to support orphans and children of Zamfara State with cash and kind as a result of the current levels of insecurity permeating the State.

The red chamber also urged the Federal Government to intensify its efforts towards securing the release of Leah Sharibu (the only Dapchi Schoolgirl yet to be released), the remaining Chibok Schoolgirls and all others in Boko Haram’s clutches.

Other resolutions include calling on the Federal Government to establish dedicated funds to assist the various ministries of social welfare in the affected State to educate and care for these children/ orphans.

These resolutions followed a motion by Senator Binta Masi (APC, Adamawa) concerning commemorating the forthcoming Children’s Day.

The motion, which was supported by Senators present, reiterated the significant role of the Nigerian child in the nation’s development as well as the need to support and secure their future.

During her presentation, Senator Masi highlighted the Child Rights Act, 2003, where a new child protection system was defined and ways to encourage children’s participation in matters concerning their rights were created.

She also noted the Universal Basic Education Act, 2004 which made education for children compulsory and enforced rights with penalties for parents and guardians who failed to fulfil or neglected these obligations.

During plenary, Senators expressed worry about the current infant mortality rate in the country, which has risen to one million deaths per annum as a result of poor nutrition and poor medical facility.

Masi noted that under the National Health Act, 2014, all pregnant women, the elderly, the disabled and children are to be exempted from paying for services in public hospitals but this has not been implemented.

Also, over 70% of the people in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camps are women and children who have been rendered orphans and widows.

However, the motion lauded the federal government and the families of the Dapchi Schoolgirls who have been released and congratulated the Nigerian Children on the celebration of the 2018 Children’s Day.