By Patrick Ochei
The Chairman of the Delta State Child’s Rights Implementation Committee (DSCRIC) and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs. Oghenekevwe Agas has charged members of the Committee to count themselves privileged to be called to the care and protection of children in the State, maintaining that there is God’s reward for those who fight to protect the rights of children.
She made the assertion while making her remarks during the Quarterly meeting of the Committee on Wednesday 6th March, 2024, at the Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat, Asaba.
The Chairman recalled the robust training of three Principal members from the State at Uyo in Akwa-Ibom State, during a 2-Day Capacity Building Workshop for Principal Officers of the State Child’s Rights Implementation Committees for the South-South Geo-Political Zone, where she reported that Delta became the cynosure of all eyes as a result of the State’s enormous achievements thus far.
Agas affirmed that Delta is ahead of other states in terms of advocacy, constitution of membership of the Committee both at the State and LGA levels, including quick responses to cases of child abuse and procedural implementation of the Child Rights Law of the State as domesticated in 2008.
While harping on the need for a review of some critical sections of the Child’s Rights Law as envisaged at the Uyo Capacity Building Workshop with evidence in a Communique, Agas posited that the State Committee would intensify advocacy visits and prompt and effective reporting of incidents to the National Child’s Rights Implementation Committee.
During the meeting, there was a combined training session for both members of the State Child’s Rights Implementation Committee and Local Government Area Child’s Rights Implementation Committees on Child Protection by a Child Protection Officer from the National Child’s Rights Implementation Committee, Mr. Archibong Anderson.
This was a first of its kind capacity building since the inauguration of the State Child’s Rights Implementation Committee in 2020, and members really took advantage of the opportunity as provided by the State Government.