Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: "No Child was born to be a destitue, a
prostitute or even a criminal or drug
addict. It is socieity that makes them
what they become and same society in
turn get's what it deserves" - Abdul
Dewale Mohamed Esq. Executive
President, Child Welfare League of
Nigeria (CWLN).NGO Group for the Convention on the
Rights of the Child
Database of NGO Reports presented to
the UN Committee on the Rights of the
Child.
Document Title:
Information on the Child Welfare League
Of Nigeria Work with Children
Region:
West Africa, Africa
Country:
Nigeria
Issued by:
Child Welfare League of Nigeria
Date of publication of NGO Report:
10/95
Date of presentation to presessional
working group:
CRC Session
(at which related national state party
report was submitted):
13th Session : Sept - Oct 96
Language:
English
Document Text
Link to related state party report at
UNHCHR
CHILD WELFARE LEAGUE OF NIGERIA
"No Child was born to be a destitue, a
prostitute or even a criminal or drug
addict. It is socieity that makes them
what they becoem and same society in
turn get's what it deserves" - Abdul
Dewale Mohamed Esq. Executive
President, Child Welfare League of
Nigeria (CWLN).
Over the years, the problem of the
development of our society, has been
that of lack of care and concern for
Children, - The Father of Man
Family and Community participation has
continued too disintegrate.
In Lagos alone there are liver 100,000
boys and girls living in the streets.
Under very harsh condition, they live
virtually in slums, market places, bye
refuse dumps and under fly over
bridges, while some abandoned ones at
the tender age of 4 and above are kept
in cells.
The consequence is the daily increase
in crime waves, drug addiditional-
prostitution and destitution.
Hence today, haunted and living in
cages like birds, we all live with fear
of violence perpetuated by the same
children once neglected and abused to
become kid armed robbers, area boys and
destitutes.
Condemned they grow up with hatred for
Society that detest them. Killing at
will they molest and rob people of
their hard earned investments.
In July 1994, CWLN decided to direct
focuson the influx of Street Children,
the must forgotten and condemned
Children in society and to date, has
sent some of these kids back to school,
re-united and reconciled many with
their families, provide food, improve
their health and even supported some
parents financially.
While providing vocational job
opportunities and shelter, emphasis is
on making farmers and sports men and
women out of the children.
With vour co-oporation under the "Save
the Child National Campaign Fund" CWLN
intends to reform thousands of these
vulnerable kids. If only we care,
collectively, we can Save Children and
thereby create a peaceful, progressive
and harmonious soiciety for ourselves
and future generations.
No matter how hard life could be, you
concern, material and financial
contribugions will go long way in
reforming Children classified under
triple D "Displaced, Distressed and the
Disabled.
For more information and support
contact:
Child Welfare League of Nigeria (CWLN)
Children Rehabiliation Project,
Quanbarni House,
32, Olufemi Road, Off Ogunlana Drive,
Surulere, Lagos.
Tel: 01 - 836065, 837878
CWLN
MARKET WOMEN & MEN
SAVE THE CHILD
NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FUND
October 17, 1995.
NGO Group for the Convention on the
Rights of the Child,
c/o Defence for Children International,
P.O.Box 88, 1211, Geneva 20,
Switzerland.
Founded in 1991 and officially
inaugurated on Jan 18, 1992, CWLN was
established after the UN Convention on
the Rights of the Child.
As a pioneer in Child Rights and
Welfare Advocacy in Nigeria, a pressure
group set up to ensure government's
compliance to the administration of
justice and protection of the rights of
the child in consonance with the World
Summit Convention, CWLN was in 1991
invited by government to collaborate
with UNICEF to recommend and advice
government ont he implementation of the
UN Convention and the African Charter
on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
The League was later appointed as a
member of the National planning
Committee for the International Year of
the Family by the Federal Ministry of
Health and Human Services and in the
following year, was appointed a member
of the National Task Force on the
Education of the Girl Child. In 1992
and 1993, the League played prominent
roles in the formation of Nigeria's
Network of Non-Governmental
organizations (NNNGO), the Non-
Governmental organizations in Education
(NGOSED) Network and lately, initiated
the "Network of African Child
Development Organizations (NACDO) of
which a draft position paper on Child
Survival Environment and Development in
Africa, as theme for a
proposed Conference, "Pretoria '96" was
produced.
In December 1992, the Board of
Directors of CWLN met officially with
the Secretary to the Government of the
Federation and tendered recommendations
as to the effective implementation and
enforcement of the Children's
Convention.
Similarly on March 17, 1994, the board
was received by the Chief of General
Staff, who welcomed the idea of the
establishment of a National Commission
for Children and the enactment of some
protective laws for vulnerable children.
A letter dated 21st, March 1994, was
later received from the Presidency
indicating the first lady's acceptance
to serve as a Patron of CWLN, and went
further to admit her interest and
support for the establishment of a
National Commission for Children as
proposed by CWLN.
MEDIA CAMPAIGN
In an effort to correct the distortions
on Child Rights implementation and
create awareness due to the ignorance
of most families and institutions, the
League has on its stable, an
authoritative quarterly newsletter
"Child Rights Defender", a monthly news
flash "Children First" and in 1992
produced " The Child" magazine and
quite of recent initiated Child Support
Road Campaign Signs for continuous
public digest and re-orientation on the
need to respect and protect the rights
and welfare of children, with the
support of Corporate firms such as
Mobil Oil and Pfizer.
Features on the protection of child
rights are reported and recorded in
national dailies, on radio and
television on regular basis as
effective mediums of creating public
awareness.
Starting from August 1995, a daily
broadcast of CWLN child rights public
education and child survival messages
is relayed after the Afrikan World News
of Multi Cable Channel (ETV).
Furthermore the Nigerian Television
Authority (Federal Government owned)
recently approved a weekly Network TV
programme "Children First" for CWLN
after careful study of its initial 13
synopsis.
To mark the 4th Annual International
Children's Day of Broadcasting Day,
come December 11, 1995, CWLN shall
establish a Child Rights Media Task
Force, constituting a group of Senior
Media Practitioners, with the
responsibility to monitor and advance
the spirit of the Convention.
NACCSHAS FORMATION.
In its deeply entrenched concern for
children and its committed effort to
promote the ideals of the Convention
and thereby compliment government's
efforts, CWLN in late last year
established a National Committee for
Child Support Honours Award Scheme
(NACCSHAS), with members drawn from the
Private Sector, International Donor
Agencies, National Associations,
Federal Government Parastatals and Non-
Governmental Organizations.
Constituting a 26 Member Group, among
those that have officially confirmed
their membership are, the United
Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF),
Africare/Nigeria, Nigeria Institute of
Management (NIM), Chartered Institute
of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Nigeria
Stock Exchange, Population Activities
Fund Agency (PAFA), National Commission
for Mass Literacy and Adult Education,
National council of Women's Societies
(NCWS), Federation of Muslim Women
Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN),
Catholic Women Association of Nigeria,
Lions, Rotary and Soroptomist
International.
CHILD -TO CHILD PROJECT.
In creating the enabling environment
for the extensive promotion of the
Convention, CWLN on July 4, 1995 under
its Child -to- Child Out reach project,
based on its 1995 - 2000 Plan of
Action, officially launched its first
University Chapter at Ogun State
University and by its mid 1997 review,
all institutions of higher learning
would have established their Chapters
and strengthen their capacity.
Students Chapters of CWLN drafted on
the Child to Child out reach project
are primarily, through training of
trainers workshops, equipped on the
knowledge of promoting, protecting,
monitoring and advancing all aspects of
the rights of the child as enshrined in
World Summit Convention.
SAVE THE CHILD NATIONAL CAMPAIGN.
In promoting the Convention through
CWLN "Save the Child National Campaign"
as part of CWLN decade goal, special
focus is on:
(a) The Market Men and Women
Association of Nigeria
(b) Religious Institutions and
(c) The Nigerian Labour Congress
(labour unions).
This Campaign initiated by CWLN started
on August 31, 1995, with the President
General of the Market Men and Women
leading a cross section of market
leaders to the first CWLN Campaign on
the Rights, Survival, Social Security
and Education of the Girl Child.
In collaboration with regional Market
Associations, there is existing plan to
hold series of training of trainers
workshops for volunteer market men and
women, for effective promotion and
monitoring of child abuse and rights
deprivation in all markets and
environs. Extensive promotion of the
education of the Girl-Child will be a
major focus. Similar programmes shall
be drawn for religious and labour
groups.
WELFARE CENTRE AND REHABILITATION
PROJECT
To absorb anticipated backlog of abused
and neglected children, the support of
the media for mass
mobilization/financial assistance and
that of government for the allocation
of specified area of landed properties
for the establishment of CWLN welfare
and rehabilitation centres in each
state of the federation seems promising.
The centres with model already
produced, is estimated to have an
intake of 15,000 deprived, neglected
and disabled children.
Presently CWLN has over 75 street
children under its rehabilitation
scheme with about 20 being fully
sheltered.
To extensively campaign against child
labour and street begging, is most
rampant in the North, CWLN intends to
use the 4th International Children's
Day of Broadcasting on Dec. 11, 1995,
to hold a rally in Kaduna with the
expectation of a pronouncement or
decree by the Federal Government on
child labour exploitation and against
street begging and trading,
particularly where the child is
involved. This would serve as a
positive and dramatic step to making
the North a progressive, productive,
enlightened and civilized state.
On our part as an NGO, we shall strive
to:
1. Contribute to the improvement of
laws, policies, and judicial procedure
affecting the child and the family.
2. Promote public awareness of the law
and system of justice and enhance the
skills of legal professionals, as
relates to the child and the spirit of
the Convention
3. Advance knowledge through research,
music, and the theatre arts for
effective dissemination of information
on laws and policies, as it relates to
the Convention and the Nigerian
Constitution.
4. Ensure the protection and management
of the rule of law and enhance the
observance, protection and maintenance
of the rights and welfare of children.
5. Expose and condemn the violation of
the rights of the child, provide
humanitarian assistance to victims of
child rights and expand access to the
courts for victims of child abuse.
6. Ensure the rehabilitation and
welfare of distressed, displaced and
disabled children.
7. Engage in frequent research, data
collection, publications, the arts and
documentaries, including the production
and dissemination of information on the
Convention.
8. Education and empowerment of
students and the community at large on
the protection and observance of the
Convention.
9. As a pressure group, reorder
national priorities and ensure that
national structures and infrastructure
for the implementation of the National
Goals are put in place by respective
government agencies.
10. In the interest of the Child,
advocate and campaign for democratic
systems of governance, justice, equity
and accountability.
11. Revitalize positive traditional and
socio-cultural values as well as
promote support for the extended family
unit as a tool to strengthening the
components and integration of the
family towards realistic communal
development, in the best interest of
the child.
12. Take appropriate action to curb
harmful traditional practices,
affecting the health of women and
children and the education of the girl
child.
13. Advocate for effective distribution
of wealth and the eradication of
socially imposed disabilities such as
poverty, ignorance, disease and squalor.
14. To establish a National Institute
for the Advancement of Child Rights,
Welfare and Development Practice in
order to fulfil the commitment to
excellence in child related matters.
15. Exert pressure on the Federal
Government to establish a National
Commission for Children and possibly in
the nearest future a full fledged
Federal Ministry.
While anticipating your positive
response, attached as required is CWLN
alternative report on the
implementation of the UN Convention an
the Rights of the Child in Nigeria,
along with other publications of the
League.
Please expect from me a copy of the
Draft position paper on the proposed
ACCSED Pretoria 196, the African
Conference on Child Survival,
Environment and Development, a document
prepared by the newly established
Network oof African Child Development
Organisations (NACDO), an African NGO
Network established to advance the
works of the NGO Group for the
Convention on the Rights of the Child
in the African Continent.
Sincerely yours,
Abdul 'Dewale Mohammed Esq.
Executive President
pp:Child Welfare League of Nigeria.
LIST OF CHILDREN RIGHTS NGOs AND
ORGANISATIONS THAT HAVE CHILDREN RIGHTS
PROJECTS IN NIGERIA
1. African Network for the Prevention
and Protection Against
Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN)
19 Lumumba St, New Haven
Enugu, Enugu State
Nigeria
Tel. 234-42-332594, Fax:234-42-337566
Contact: Prof. Peter O. Ebigbo
(president)
2. Anti-Child Abuse Society of Africa
(ACASA)
Box 3118, Diobu
Port Harcourt, Rivers State
Nigeria
Contact: Obinna Oleribe (President)
3. Child Action Committee (CAC)
Box 3626 University of Calabar
Cross River State
Nigeria
Tel:234-87-220531
Contact: Dr. Stella Ogbuagu
4. Child Action of Nigeria (CAN)
Plot 593, T. Close, 21 Road
Festac Town, Lagos
Nigeria
Tel.:234-1-880462
Contact: Dr. A.D. Kolawole
5. Child Welfare League of Nigeria
(CWLN)
Qunbarmi House
32 Olufemi Street
Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria
Tel.:234-1-836065, 837837878 FAX/TEL
6. Childline Foundation
22 Norman Street
Box 51093
Falomo Ikoyi, Lagos
Nigeria
Tel.:234-1-685728/686217
Contact Mrs. Ify Akelere
7. National Association of Nigerian
Nurses and Midwives (NANNM)
Box 3857, Ikeja, Lagos
Nigeria
Contact: Moses Ahura Matu (Secretary
General)
8 National Association Women
Journalists (NAWOJ)
3/5 Adeyemi Alakija Street
Victoria Island
Lagos, Nigeria
Tel.: 234-1-615543
Contact: Hanatu Bororo Musa (Presdent)
9. Women in Nigeria (WIN)
12 Yovi Street, Iwaya
Yaba, Lagos
Nigeria
Contact: Mrs G.A. Kilanko (National Co-
ordinator)
10. Nigeria Network of Non-Governmental
Organisations (NNNGO)
1 Falolu Close
Box 8485 Surulere
Lagos, Nigeria
Tel.:234-1-837506 Fax:234-1-837506
Contact: Dare Abolurin (Secretary
General)
11. Nigerian Association of University
Women (NAUM)
Box 2382, Lagos
Nigeria
Tel.: 234-1-664236/960318 Pax: 234-1-
664206
Contact: Clara Osinulu (President)
12. Planned Parenthood Federation of
Nigeria
224 Ikorodu Road, Palmgroove
P.M.B 1264, Lagos
Nigeria
Tel.: 234-1-820945
Contact: Dr. A. B Sulaiman
13. Constitutional Rights Project (CRP)
18 Awoyemi Close
Surulere, Lagos
Nigeria
Tel.: 234-1-5848498 Fax: 234-1
Contact: Clement Nwankwo (Executive
Director)
14. Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO)
24 Mbonu Ojike Street
Surulere, Lagos
Nigeria
Tel.: 234-1-5840288 Fax:5840288/5876876
Contact: Abdul Oroh, (executive
Director)
N.B. I copied some of the addresses
from a directory of NGOS in Nigeria,
published by the Nigeria Country office
of UNICEF in 1995.
Home
The NGO Reports Database on Children's
Rights includes all existing and public
reports submitted to the Committee on
the Convention of the Rights
of the Child by NGOs and NGO
Coalitions. The copyright of the
reports are retained by the authors and
use thereof must be duly acknowledegd.
The database is the property of the
Liaison Unit of the NGO Group for the
Convention on the Rights of the Child
and is managed by that unit. For
further information or other enquiries
please contact the Liaison Unit at dci-
[email protected].
Owner: Child Welfare League of Nigeria