World Parents Day: Association Tasks Govts on Supporting Caregivers

By: Wisdom Acka

Governments at all levels have been urged to formulate programmes that will support parents and caregivers in the country, especially the Federal Capital Territory.

General Secretary, Association of Wives of FCT Traditional Rulers, HRH Halima Mohammed, made this call in a press statement released to the media on Thursday.

Mohammed argues that if parents were adequately supported, they would be better positioned to provide care to their children and wards, thus finally creating a better society without violence to others, especially to girl child and women.

The statement reads in part: “AWTR calls on governments to provide support programs to caregivers and parents in Nigeria, recognizing their importance in the positive development of children and protection from early or forced child marriage.

“If we do not act now, the number of women married as children is set to soar to 1.2 billion by 2050”, she warned.

“As a network of traditional rulers’ wives fighting against forced marriage within our community, AWTR joined the Global Day of Parents to recognize and appreciate the contributions of our indigenous women in reducing child-marriages in our community and to ensuring the well-being of our children. Thank you to all the parents who safeguard their children from the dangers of early marriage”.

Mohammed expressed appreciation to residents of the FCT and and royal fathers for their commitment to the welfare, development, and advancement of the indigenous people whom she hailed for resilience and patriotism.

Mohammed, who is the wife of the Chief of Karshi reminded the original inhabitants to stop early and forced marriages, decrying that in most cases, mothers do not even consent to such practises, even as she appealed for recognition of both parents’ rights to the child’s welfare and protection.

The World Day of Parents is usually marked every 1st June and this year is celebrated under the theme: “Uplighting, and support the role of parents in the rearing of children.”