Day of The African Child – 2020

First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has acknowledged that children often find it difficult to access legal services, especially those who live in remote rural communities. She therefore advocated for child-friendly service to promote children’s legal rights and interests, especially through strengthening of Legal Aid services in Nigeria.
Mrs. Buhari, who was represented by Dr. Mairo Tanko Almakura, Special Assistant to the President on African First Ladies Peace Mission, was speaking at an event to mark the 2020 Day of the African Child, which held at the African First Ladies Peace Mission Secretariat, Abuja on 16th June, 2020.

Mrs. Buhari observed that the theme of the event, which is “access to a child-friendly justice system in Africa”, reflects the helplessness of children to the various forms of abuse that they are subjected to. She charged the appropriate authorities in African countries to provide child-friendly services such as free 24 hours helplines, child complaint centers, child offenders’ courts and free legal advice for juveniles. She further called for states in Nigeria that are yet to promulgate the Child Rights Act (Laws) to do so without any further delay. This has become imperative especially with the recent happenings in our country where even children are not spared by predators and pedophiles.