Dr. Maryam Ismaila-Keshinro, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, has expressed her commitment to supporting the National Child Rights Implementation Committee (NCRIC) in its efforts to advocate for children’s rights. This pledge was made during a courtesy visit from NCRIC members, led by Co-chairman Mr. MacJohn Nwobiala, in Abuja. Ismaila-Keshinro underscored the critical need to prioritize children’s rights for the nation’s future and assured that regular meetings with essential stakeholders would be organized.
In a discussion with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) regarding the purpose of the meeting, Nwobiala indicated that the committee aimed to familiarize the Permanent Secretary with its ongoing activities. He noted that the legislation establishing the committee designates the Permanent Secretary as its Chairperson. “The visit provided an opportunity to brief her, exchange ideas, identify challenges, and propose recommendations. The meeting was well-attended, with representatives from most of our key agencies present. It was arranged on short notice, and the Permanent Secretary readily agreed to participate. I believe her acceptance was influenced by her background; she is not only a trained paediatrician but also possesses a profound passion for children’s welfare. She is a strong advocate for child rights and is ideally positioned to lead this initiative,” Nwobiala remarked. He highlighted the high expectations for her leadership in advancing children’s rights and ensuring their protection. “Prior to this meeting, she had already launched several programs aimed at enhancing children’s welfare.
Various NGOs and ministries were represented at this meeting, marking our initial engagement with her,” he added. Furthermore, he mentioned that the committee and the Permanent Secretary have agreed to conduct regular meetings, whether in person or virtually, to maintain ongoing communication. “Additionally, she committed to facilitating a meeting between the committee and the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, at the earliest opportunity.”
We have also reached a consensus to promptly release and promote several outstanding reports and guidelines. Additionally, correspondence will be dispatched to agencies that are expected to be part of the NCRIC but have not been actively engaged, with the permanent secretary personally endorsing these letters, he stated. Nwobiala characterized the meeting as exceptionally fruitful and conveyed a sense of optimism regarding the committee’s revitalization. “Although we have encountered numerous challenges, we are confident that under the leadership of the permanent secretary, we will witness the onset of positive transformations. Our outlook is very hopeful,” he remarked.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria(NAN)
