On Tuesday, children in Kano State demanded an end to child street begging and early marriage, as well as a review of the voting age to allow them to exercise their right to vote.
They made the request via Miss Saudat Wakil, who led a group of children to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Kano Field Office on Tuesday.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Wakil and 21 other children took over the leadership of the UNICEF office for two hours as part of activities commemorating the 2021 World Children’s Day.
Wakil expressed concern on behalf of the children about the large number of children begging for food on major streets.
She figured it was concerning and unfair for young children to beg and fend for themselves on the streets.
“According to the United Nations Convention, children have the right to an education and should be encouraged to complete their education to the highest level.”
“We urge the government to address this trend so that children can return to school and receive a quality education,” she said.
Wakil also urged all stakeholders to address the issue of early marriage, particularly in the state.
Child marriage, she claims, is still prevalent, particularly in rural areas, where many girls are married off before the age of 18.
“We urge the government to raise the official marriage age so that children can finish school and plan for their future.”
According to NAN, World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s global day of action for and by children to commemorate the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on November 20, 1989.
NAN also reports that the Day has been observed on November 20, the day the Convention was ratified, since 2017.
The UNICEF office in Kano’s kids’ takeover event this year was expected to provide an opportunity for children to learn about the organization that works to promote their rights and well-being.