By Ishaq Dan-Imam, Lokoja.
The Child Rights Advocates Cluster in Kogi State under the auspices of TEDiiN, a non-governmental organization in Kogi State, North Central Nigeria, has held in-school training for secondary school students in the state to raise students’ awareness on the provisions of the child rights law, and other constitutional rights of children in Nigeria.
According to the President and CEO of Tediin, Elder Titus Alonge, the objective of the In-School training was to educate and sensitize children in Kogi State on the existence of the Child Rights Law in Kogi State.
The training took place across 11 secondary and 1 primary schools across the three senatorial districts of Kogi State.
In four of the schools, the training was conducted in the school halls, and four of the training sessions took place on the assembly grounds of the schools, while three of the trainings were held in classes as provided by the school.
The principals, management staff and students actively participated in all of the training process.
Alonge said, “In addition, the principals of the schools visited overwhelmingly welcomed the project team and pledged their support to the project.”
The President/CEO of TEDiiN presented the training objective and an overview of SCALE project including the cluster model approach. He informed participants that the project was being implemented across the 5 North Central states, including Kogi state.
Alonge also appreciated the schools managements for the opportunity and platform provided to train the children in their respective schools on the Child Right Law particularly knowing their rights and responsibilities as contained in the 1999 Nigeria constitution as amended, and the provisions of the Kogi State Child Right Law, 2009.
The benfitting schools included GYB Model Science School Adankolo, Lokoja LGA; Army Day Secondary School Chari Maigumeri Barracks, Adavi LGA; Bishop Delisle College, Karaworo, Lokoja LGA; Crowther Memorial College, Lokoja LGA; Scintillate International School, Otokiti Housing Estate, Adavi LGA; Effective Comprehensive College, Otokiti Housing Estate, Adavi LGA; Onward Comprehensive College, Oworo Estate Felele, Kabba Bunu LGA; ECWA Secondary School Zango City, Adavi LGA; Muslim Community Secondary School Lokongoma, Ajaokuta LGA; and LGEA Standard College Ganaja, Ajaokuta LGA of Kogi State.
Copies of the simplified version of the Act were presented to the Principals for school libraries for the students access to the reading material.
A total of one thousand, six hundred and eighty four (1,684) and one person with disability (PWD) Participants drawn from primary, JSS, SS classes, as well as management and teaching staff of the Schools participated in the In-School training.
