Children’s Day: Administering
the wrong drug for an ailment
the wrong drug for an ailment
In his Children Day speech, President Muhammadu Buhari reveals the
federal government’s plan to review the control of drug use among children. Uji
Abdullahi Iliyasu reports that creating jobs for parents and guardians is
the panacea to drug abuse and violent crimes.
federal government’s plan to review the control of drug use among children. Uji
Abdullahi Iliyasu reports that creating jobs for parents and guardians is
the panacea to drug abuse and violent crimes.
Background
Children in Nigeria joined their counterparts
the world over to mark this year’s Children’s Day, which holds May 27 of every
year. The day was established by the United Nations (UN) to honour and promote
the welfare of world’s children. The day celebrated annually, offers
governments the opportunity to draw attention to issues that affect children.
the world over to mark this year’s Children’s Day, which holds May 27 of every
year. The day was established by the United Nations (UN) to honour and promote
the welfare of world’s children. The day celebrated annually, offers
governments the opportunity to draw attention to issues that affect children.
Juvenile drug addiction
President
Muhammadu Buhari said during the Children Day celebration that the federal government
would review the National Drug Control Master Plan 2015-2019 to check drug
control consumption among youth.
Muhammadu Buhari said during the Children Day celebration that the federal government
would review the National Drug Control Master Plan 2015-2019 to check drug
control consumption among youth.
This
was contained in his speech at this year Children’s Day celebration with the
theme, “Drug abuse among children: Addressing the challenges.”
was contained in his speech at this year Children’s Day celebration with the
theme, “Drug abuse among children: Addressing the challenges.”
The
president’s message was delivered by Minister of Federal Capital Territory
(FCT) Muhammad Musa Bello.
president’s message was delivered by Minister of Federal Capital Territory
(FCT) Muhammad Musa Bello.
In his speech, he said in addition to
implementing the plan and addressing the national drug problem, the government
had since May 2018, placed restriction on the use, importation and the sale of
codeine as a cough syrup without prescription.
implementing the plan and addressing the national drug problem, the government
had since May 2018, placed restriction on the use, importation and the sale of
codeine as a cough syrup without prescription.
He
said the theme of this year was deliberate in view of the disturbing reports
that drug abuse had become a major public health and security concern in the
country.
said the theme of this year was deliberate in view of the disturbing reports
that drug abuse had become a major public health and security concern in the
country.
The
president therefore, appealed to children to avoid bad company, obey their
parents, teachers, elders and constituted authority. He then assured them of
his administration’s commitment to providing the appropriate environment for
them to attain their full potential.
president therefore, appealed to children to avoid bad company, obey their
parents, teachers, elders and constituted authority. He then assured them of
his administration’s commitment to providing the appropriate environment for
them to attain their full potential.
President
Buhari further urged the youth to shun illicit drugs in order to safeguard
their future, saying the federal government was very concerned about the impact
of drug and substance abuse.
Buhari further urged the youth to shun illicit drugs in order to safeguard
their future, saying the federal government was very concerned about the impact
of drug and substance abuse.
“We are desirous of building a better future
for our children because children of today are the leaders of tomorrow and if
we allow drugs or other ills to destroy our children today, we are destroying
our future.
for our children because children of today are the leaders of tomorrow and if
we allow drugs or other ills to destroy our children today, we are destroying
our future.
“As
one of the interventions to ensure a protective and guaranteed future for our
children, I constituted a two-tier intervention structure comprising high-level
ministerial committee on the elimination of drug abuse for a coordinated
response in addressing the challenges posed by drug and substance abuse among
the teeming populace.
one of the interventions to ensure a protective and guaranteed future for our
children, I constituted a two-tier intervention structure comprising high-level
ministerial committee on the elimination of drug abuse for a coordinated
response in addressing the challenges posed by drug and substance abuse among
the teeming populace.
“It
is worthy of mention that the Presidential Advisory Committee is currently
interfacing with core stakeholders, drug experts, rehabilitated drug users at
all levels so as to make appropriate recommendations to government on
interventions required to reverse this ugly trend.
is worthy of mention that the Presidential Advisory Committee is currently
interfacing with core stakeholders, drug experts, rehabilitated drug users at
all levels so as to make appropriate recommendations to government on
interventions required to reverse this ugly trend.
“In
furtherance of the campaign against drugs, the National Drug Law Enforcement
Agency (NDLEA) and National Agency for Foods Drug Administration and Control
(NAFDAC) have also developed information, education and communication materials
for awareness creation nationwide,” he said.
furtherance of the campaign against drugs, the National Drug Law Enforcement
Agency (NDLEA) and National Agency for Foods Drug Administration and Control
(NAFDAC) have also developed information, education and communication materials
for awareness creation nationwide,” he said.
Wrong drug for an ailment
It
is worthy of note that today, drug addiction is rampart among school children
and youth in general. The excruciating economic reality of the present has
forced children to seek better alternatives from their family misfortunes.
Unlike in the past, most Nigerian children wake up in the morning without
knowing what to eat and what to do. The frustration of dropping out of school
because parents can no longer cope with school fees, prompted children to use
substance that will temporary remove the frustration. Most times the unemployment level in the
country is so alarming that the youth, in frustration, go after kidnapping,
armed robbery, prostitution, online financial scams and the like.
is worthy of note that today, drug addiction is rampart among school children
and youth in general. The excruciating economic reality of the present has
forced children to seek better alternatives from their family misfortunes.
Unlike in the past, most Nigerian children wake up in the morning without
knowing what to eat and what to do. The frustration of dropping out of school
because parents can no longer cope with school fees, prompted children to use
substance that will temporary remove the frustration. Most times the unemployment level in the
country is so alarming that the youth, in frustration, go after kidnapping,
armed robbery, prostitution, online financial scams and the like.
The
rate of violent crimes we are witnessing today wasn’t like this in the recent
past. Therefore, if the federal government does not put desperate measures in
place to create employment for breadwinners in the homes, juvenile addiction to
drugs cannot be reduced by whatever level of awareness and enlightenment.
rate of violent crimes we are witnessing today wasn’t like this in the recent
past. Therefore, if the federal government does not put desperate measures in
place to create employment for breadwinners in the homes, juvenile addiction to
drugs cannot be reduced by whatever level of awareness and enlightenment.
It
is even common to see adults who were hitherto non-smokers and non-alcoholics
taking to smoking and drinking out of financial frustrations.
is even common to see adults who were hitherto non-smokers and non-alcoholics
taking to smoking and drinking out of financial frustrations.
Most
times, the government claims to have created millions of jobs, but these jobs
existed in official speeches but in reality are nowhere to be seen. The jobs on crop farming which government
lays claims to are very minimal compared to the mob of jobless persons. After
all crop farming had been in the country long before even independence. Government
officers who claim to have engaged the youth in petty trade, farming and other
menial jobs, fail to engage any of their children in the jobs. If they have
created true jobs, why won’t they involve their children and wards in the jobs?
times, the government claims to have created millions of jobs, but these jobs
existed in official speeches but in reality are nowhere to be seen. The jobs on crop farming which government
lays claims to are very minimal compared to the mob of jobless persons. After
all crop farming had been in the country long before even independence. Government
officers who claim to have engaged the youth in petty trade, farming and other
menial jobs, fail to engage any of their children in the jobs. If they have
created true jobs, why won’t they involve their children and wards in the jobs?
It is doubtful if the Minister of Labour and Employment
Chris Ngige and Minister of Agriculture Audu Ogbe, have any of their children learning
any petty trade or practising rise farming in the country.
Chris Ngige and Minister of Agriculture Audu Ogbe, have any of their children learning
any petty trade or practising rise farming in the country.
Protecting the children via international partners
Earlier,
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Aisha Abubakar said government
was committed to doubling efforts to ensure the protection of the fundamental
rights of the children.
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Aisha Abubakar said government
was committed to doubling efforts to ensure the protection of the fundamental
rights of the children.
She
therefore called for more international cooperation and partnerships founded on
true commitment towards the realisation of sustainable development goals strategies.
therefore called for more international cooperation and partnerships founded on
true commitment towards the realisation of sustainable development goals strategies.
The
minister further admonished all stakeholders to work hand in hand in curbing
the menace, create awareness and sensitisation for the children and the general
public towards freeing Nigeria of drug abuse.
minister further admonished all stakeholders to work hand in hand in curbing
the menace, create awareness and sensitisation for the children and the general
public towards freeing Nigeria of drug abuse.
She
stated that at present children in primary and secondary schools engage in
organised crimes as a result of the effect of drug abuse.
stated that at present children in primary and secondary schools engage in
organised crimes as a result of the effect of drug abuse.
The
minister’s concern is understandable but the link missed is the provision of
jobs for the families of these children who will take care of their financial
needs.
minister’s concern is understandable but the link missed is the provision of
jobs for the families of these children who will take care of their financial
needs.
Children’s rights trampled
There
have been debates concerning who is to be referred to as a child in a country.
Children generally should be those in schools or young undergraduates in
universities and polytechnics whose ages range from four to 25, or maximum 30
as in NYSC. But in Nigeria, a man is still a child at 40 years of age. The
reason is because at 40, many Nigerian graduates are still struggling in the
labour market in search of jobs. These job seekers are unable to fend for
themselves, so are not yet weaned from their parents. This is the class that is
mostly involved in drug abuse and violent crimes.
have been debates concerning who is to be referred to as a child in a country.
Children generally should be those in schools or young undergraduates in
universities and polytechnics whose ages range from four to 25, or maximum 30
as in NYSC. But in Nigeria, a man is still a child at 40 years of age. The
reason is because at 40, many Nigerian graduates are still struggling in the
labour market in search of jobs. These job seekers are unable to fend for
themselves, so are not yet weaned from their parents. This is the class that is
mostly involved in drug abuse and violent crimes.
It
is generally agreed that a country whose citizens are well fed and gainfully
employed experiences very low level of violent crimes. But what we witness
daily in Nigeria is kidnapping for ransom, banditry, insurgency and cultism.
All these are drug-induced crimes. Therefore, if the country cannot protect the
rights of its children, it cannot by any means reduce drug abuse and violent
crimes.
is generally agreed that a country whose citizens are well fed and gainfully
employed experiences very low level of violent crimes. But what we witness
daily in Nigeria is kidnapping for ransom, banditry, insurgency and cultism.
All these are drug-induced crimes. Therefore, if the country cannot protect the
rights of its children, it cannot by any means reduce drug abuse and violent
crimes.
United
Nations Convention
Nations Convention
According
to United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, children’s
rights include the right to health, education, family life, play and
recreation, an adequate standard of living and protection from abuse and harm.
to United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, children’s
rights include the right to health, education, family life, play and
recreation, an adequate standard of living and protection from abuse and harm.
In
Nigeria, children’s rights are not only protected by law, but it also
stipulates punishment for adults who take advantage of children or seek to
negatively influence them. Prior to the 2003 Child Rights Act, Nigerian child
protection was defined by the Children and Young People’s Act (CYPA), a law
relating primarily to juvenile justice.
Nigeria, children’s rights are not only protected by law, but it also
stipulates punishment for adults who take advantage of children or seek to
negatively influence them. Prior to the 2003 Child Rights Act, Nigerian child
protection was defined by the Children and Young People’s Act (CYPA), a law
relating primarily to juvenile justice.
In
2003, Nigeria adopted the Child Rights Act to domesticate the convention on the
rights of the child. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is an international human
rights treaty that grants all children and young people a comprehensive set of
rights, which include the right to private and family life; right to freedom of
movement; right to freedom from discrimination and the right to dignity of the
child. Others are the rights to leisure, recreation and cultural activities, rights
to parental care, protection and maintenance as well as rights of a child to
free, compulsory and universal primary education, and the like.
2003, Nigeria adopted the Child Rights Act to domesticate the convention on the
rights of the child. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is an international human
rights treaty that grants all children and young people a comprehensive set of
rights, which include the right to private and family life; right to freedom of
movement; right to freedom from discrimination and the right to dignity of the
child. Others are the rights to leisure, recreation and cultural activities, rights
to parental care, protection and maintenance as well as rights of a child to
free, compulsory and universal primary education, and the like.
The
Act prohibits child marriage, as no person under the age of 18 years is capable
of contracting a valid marriage, and accordingly a marriage so
contracted is null and void. In addition, parents and guardians are precluded
from arranging or facilitating child betrothals and any person who marries a
child; or to whom a child is betrothed; or who promotes the marriage of a
child; or who betroths a child, commits an offence and is liable on conviction
to a fine of N500,000; or imprisonment for a term of five years or to both such
fine and imprisonment.
Act prohibits child marriage, as no person under the age of 18 years is capable
of contracting a valid marriage, and accordingly a marriage so
contracted is null and void. In addition, parents and guardians are precluded
from arranging or facilitating child betrothals and any person who marries a
child; or to whom a child is betrothed; or who promotes the marriage of a
child; or who betroths a child, commits an offence and is liable on conviction
to a fine of N500,000; or imprisonment for a term of five years or to both such
fine and imprisonment.
The
child’s rights also protects him from tribal marks; so any person who tattoos
or makes a skin mark on a child commits an offence under the Act and is liable
on conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand naira or imprisonment for a
term not exceeding one month or to both such fine and imprisonment.
child’s rights also protects him from tribal marks; so any person who tattoos
or makes a skin mark on a child commits an offence under the Act and is liable
on conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand naira or imprisonment for a
term not exceeding one month or to both such fine and imprisonment.
Exposing
a child to the use or trafficking of narcotics is a serious crime and any
person found guilty is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life. Employing
a child for the facilitation of criminal acts is also an offence under the Act
and any person found guilty is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term
of 14 years.
a child to the use or trafficking of narcotics is a serious crime and any
person found guilty is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life. Employing
a child for the facilitation of criminal acts is also an offence under the Act
and any person found guilty is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term
of 14 years.
It
is unlawful to have sexual intercourse with a child; any person who contravenes
this provision commits an offence of rape and is liable on conviction to
imprisonment for life. Where a person is charged with an offence under this section,
it is immaterial that the offender believed the person to be of or above the
age of eighteen years; or the sexual intercourse was with the consent of the
child.
is unlawful to have sexual intercourse with a child; any person who contravenes
this provision commits an offence of rape and is liable on conviction to
imprisonment for life. Where a person is charged with an offence under this section,
it is immaterial that the offender believed the person to be of or above the
age of eighteen years; or the sexual intercourse was with the consent of the
child.
In
Nigeria, all the legal protection for children sound good, but in reality, they
are mere legal exercise. Therefore, the better way to protect Nigerian children
is to empower their parents and guardians financial in order to give them
security in the homes. What has the Child Rights Act doing with parents who
send their children and wards to buy cigarettes and alcoholic drinks for them?
Nigeria, all the legal protection for children sound good, but in reality, they
are mere legal exercise. Therefore, the better way to protect Nigerian children
is to empower their parents and guardians financial in order to give them
security in the homes. What has the Child Rights Act doing with parents who
send their children and wards to buy cigarettes and alcoholic drinks for them?