NHRC Takes Campaign Against Child Abuse, Harmful Practices To Kuje

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has intensified its campaign against child abuse and harmful traditional practices, warning that violations of children’s rights in communities across Nigeria remain a major threat to the country’s future.

At a community sensitisation programme in Pegi Community, Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, the executive secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, said incidents of neglect, violence, child labour, early marriage, female genital mutilation and exclusion of children from decisions affecting their lives were still widespread despite existing legal protections.

Ojukwu, who was represented by the director of the commission’s Women and Children Department, Mrs Ngozi Okore, declared that protecting children’s rights must move beyond government institutions to active community ownership and participation.

He said that although the Nigerian Constitution, the Child Rights Act 2003, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, as well as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child guaranteed the rights of every child to survival, education, dignity and protection, implementation at the grassroots level remained weak.

“Children are not passive beneficiaries of rights. They are rights holders here and now,” he said, stressing that communities, parents, teachers, religious leaders and traditional rulers must take responsibility for safeguarding children from abuse and exploitation.

The NHRC boss noted that the commission could not tackle rights violations alone, adding that lasting solutions would only emerge when communities themselves reject harmful practices and embrace accountability.

According to him, empowering children with knowledge about their rights would help them speak out against abuse. At the same time, enlightened parents and teachers would become protectors rather than barriers to child development.

“When traditional and religious leaders lend their voices, harmful practices lose legitimacy. And when communities establish shared standards, accountability becomes real,” he stated.

Ojukwu described the sensitisation programme themed, “Empowering Kuje’s Children to Promote and Protect Their Rights,” as part of a broader strategy to deepen human rights awareness at the grassroots and strengthen child protection mechanisms in schools and communities.

He urged children to speak up when their rights are violated and encouraged adults to pay attention to children’s concerns, saying societies that listen to children are better positioned for sustainable development.

In his remarks, Principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Pegi Community-Kuje, Mr Asrmota A. Kelly, commended the NHRC for bringing the campaign directly to students and community members, saying the initiative would positively transform students’ orientation towards education and social responsibility.

Kelly said the programme had helped students, parents and teachers better understand their respective rights and responsibilities, noting that respect for one another’s rights remained essential for peaceful coexistence in schools and society.

The sensitisation programme drew participation from traditional rulers, religious leaders, members of the School-Based Management Committee, teachers, parents, guardians, students and other stakeholders from the Kuje Area Council.