Paul Orude, Bauchi
The United Nation Children Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concerns that Nigeria has the largest number of child brides in Africa with an estimated figure of 23 million girls and women married as children.
UNICEF Chief of Bauchi Field Office, Mr. Bhanu Pathank stated this, on Wednesday, as part of activities to mark the celebration of the world children day with the slogan, ‘It’s time to put children back on the agenda,’ held at the UNICEF office in Bauchi.
Pathank said that child marriage was a key driver of challenges throughout northern Nigeria, leading to school drop-outs and adolescent pregnancy.
He said that early marriage was linked to high maternal mortality and malnutrition, among other issues.
“At least 44.1 percent of girls in Nigeria are married before their 18th birthday, while 18.5 percent are married before they turned 15.
“We have a long way to go to make sure that Nigerian children’s rights are all respected, and for all Nigerian children to live safe, happy and healthy lives.
“There has been much improvement over the years, but much remains to be done.
“We need to invest in education to ensure that we get the more than 10 million children still not attending school into classrooms.
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“We need to make sure that Children, including especially hard to reach, can access the nutrition they need to survive and thrive, instead of a situation where 50 percent of child deaths which are due to malnutrition,” he said
The UNICEF Chief urged state governments to hasten the implementation of the Child Right Act, saying that it is an investment into the nation’s future.
Pathank said UNICEF over the next four years’ plans to increase enrollment of children, especially girls, strengthen gender equality in education, improve the quality of learning in schools, increase routine immunisation, support women to make empowered decisions, including pregnancy and promote child survival and well-being.
Highlight of the children celebration was the hosting of 15 students from different secondary schools in the state, who assumed symbolic roles within the UNICEF Field office.
The essence was to prepare their minds towards taking leadership positions in the area of education, health, sanitation and hygiene amongst others.