By Luminous Jannamike
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and several top artistes have released a song; calling for the rights of every Nigerian child to be respected and protected.
49% of Nigeria’s under five children suffer growth deficiency – UNICEF(Opens in a new browser tab)
The song titled: ‘For Every Child’, was debuted at an event to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on Wednesday in Abuja.
It featured children singing with Niniola, Tubaba, Chidinma, Timi Dakolo, Umar M. Sheriff and Cobhams Asuquo, who also produced the song.
According to Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Nigeria’s Country Representative, the song provides children a platform to reflect on their future, their aspirations and they contributions they can make to the country.
He said, “For children, it’s always about the positives and how they can contribute to the society. We see the talents, the resilience, the aspiration, the enthusiasm and the willingness to look forward and engage in the future of the country.
The changes we have seen for children in the past 10 years in Nigeria are exponential but we have challenges ahead. “With this song, we are urging all people to call for the rights of every child. Every Nigerian child deserves a fair chance to safe and healthy future and to fulfill their dreams.”
Speaking also, Cobhams Asuquo urged the children to hold onto their hope for a brighter future for Nigeria, saying: “As children, they should maintain their uninhibited, unfettered, unchallenged display of hope. They should be hopeful. Indeed they are the hope of tomorrow. The song is a reminder of who they are and how they are a chance for a better future for all of us. So, yes, they have a responsibility to do better than us and make the future much brighter,” he said.
UNICEF also launched an app where children can find the CRC and other materials related to their rights