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We Can’t Achieve SDGs Without Taking Care of Our Children– Don

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Dr Chidiebere Ezinwa,  a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) and a Child Rights advocate,  states that the Nigeria government must take deliberate steps in addressing children’s rights in order to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

He spoke with Gom Mirian

What exactly is the content of the SDGs?

To start with, SDGs simply stands for Sustainable Development Goals.

There are 17 goals and 169 agendas in it. It contains aims for making the world a better place for everybody including children.

 It encompasses all development objectives aimed at improving people, protecting our environment and planet, as well as safeguarding wildlife and marine life.

But here we are trying to say that SDG contains child’s rights that without fulfilling the rights of children we cannot achieve a Sustainable Development Goals, so the rights of the children are integrated in the SDGs so if we do not make efforts to fulfill the rights of the children we cannot realize this goals so that is the main point we are trying to establish, that we cannot separate the SDGs from the rights of children that as we struggle to fulfill the rights of children we are moving closer to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

For instance, you look at Goal 1, that is “No Poverty,” if we deal with poverty in our society,that means that we have dealt with hunger, we have dealt with some of our children not going to school, hawking in the streets to support their families, among others means of survival and forms of social vices.

So we are saying that if we provide for our children and recognize their rights within the “No Poverty” goal we will see that we have recognized the rights of the child to live, the rights of the child  to good health and  education, the rights to adequate nutrition all these rights will be guaranteed. Looking at SDG 2, “Zero Hunger” incorporated within the goal is also child right to live.

 Here we are talking about the child’s right to nutrition that the child should be fed well from the moment of conception which is the duty of the mother to feed well for the child to develop well. There no way a mother that is not healthy will give birth to a healthy child. So you see that the right to nutrition is very critical in the sense that if the right is neglected so many other things will not work out well.

First, the right to health is affected because a poorly nourished child will not be a healthy child, an unhealthy child cannot go to school nor allow the parent to go out to work which will affect the income of the family and the progress of other children in the family is also affected. The goals are human rights-driven and because the child is also a human being we try to incorporate the right of the child in these goals.

Looking at climate change as one of the goals, you see incidents such as drought, flood, famine in different places. Families which are displaced are likely to face hunger, their rights to property will be taken away, their rights to health is also endangered because during flooding there could be incidence of outbreak of diseases because people are moving from different places this is also a problem.

If you look at Goal 6, “clean water and sanitation,” if you are in a dirty environment, it is very likely that the children will be affected with various diseases. Nigeria is ranked number one in open defecation, as reports show that 46 million Nigerians still defecate in the open, so having such a situation on ground, you can imagine how vulnerable our children are exposed to diseases. If you go to some of our schools, you will discover that some of the children are out of school because they do not have toilets in the school, especially the girls. They wouldn’t want to go to school where they do not have the toilet

Which of the goals do you think a country like Nigeria prioritizes and why?

These goals are indivisible, you can’t say one is important than the other. Because just imagine a child is alive but do not go to school, the child’s rights to education is taken away for instance, you cannot compare an educated mother with an uneducated one in terms of parenting and care of the child.

The educated one is more likely to take better care of the child, she also has more power in decision making process in the family also when a child fails to go to school the next step is marriage and you know the consequences of early child marriage.

The Goal 7, “clean and affordable energy.”

Smoke inhaled by our children from indoor cooking, emission from generator set and vehicles pose a danger to the child’s right to health.

So that is why these goals are very critical that we argued that without fulfilling them we cannot achieve nor realize the Sustainable Development Goals. Without taking care of children we cannot achieve SDGs.

SDG is futuristic, the ideal is that we should be careful of things will do today in order not to endanger tomorrow that if we treat the children rights, respect their rights, protect their rights according to law that it is going to ensure a better future for us and that when we do that we are moving closer to achieving SDGs. We are half way into the programme. As at 2019 Nigeria occupied 159 position and in 2020 , the 160 position when you look at other indicators of the goal you will see that we are not doing well as open defecation and malnutrition Nigeria are number one.

Going forward, apart from the government, what must individuals do to achieve SDGs by 2030?

I believe that the media should create that awareness because most of these problems spring from high level of ignorance in our society . When you talk about SDGs many people do not know what it’s all about. So first of all that ignorance should be taken away from the public. People should be educated, the mass media should join in public enlightenment to create awareness about what these goals are the implications and the essence of the goals so that everybody will join hands because Goal 17 talks about partnership and for us to achieve SDG we need to partner, to come together at both local, national and international levels in order to allow for 50:50 contribution by all to achieve the goal.

Individuals also have a lot of roles to play as the universal basic education duty imposes on the parent to take the child to school. So it is not the government’s duty to take the child to school, and also it is the duty of the parent to take the child to health facility for routine immunization and to seek health care when the child is sick.

What are the implications if these goals are not achieved?

The implications are that there will be massive denial of rights of the child and the essence of the goal is that there should be a better future for everybody.

That means if we fail to achieve this goal, it means that the future is bleak because tomorrow starts now. That whatever we are doing today, have implications for tomorrow. The kind of training we give our children today will give us an idea of the kind of future to expect. If these children are not educated, where are we going to get medical doctors, other professionals from? That means we will lack them.

Presently, the rate at which our doctors are leaving the country, you will see that our health care sector is already endangered. 

What does Nigeria stand to gain if these goals are achieved?

If we achieve the goals that means the future will be bright, everybody including children will be happy, there will be reduction in crime, out-of-school children, infant mortality rate, mental mortality rate, conflict and crime.

For instance, you look at farmers- herders issues is also related to climate change, they want to move their animals from where there is no water to where there is water and in the process run into conflict with farmers.

Goal 6, talk about peace, justice and strong institutions.  If we do not have peace like what is happening in Ukraine – Russia and Syria, children will be dying from malnutrition as a result of conflicts. You look at the North-East of Nigeria and North- West where there is conflict a lot of children are malnourished, a lot in IDPs camps suffering. So if we achieve these goals it then means that all this negative forces mentioned will be taken care of.

POLITICS

No Amount of Political Gang-up can Stop Tinubu’s Re-election – APC Chieftain

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Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, has said that no amount of political gang-up can stop President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, stated this in a chat with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo.

The APC chieftain said that the recent defection of some APC members to other political parties was not in any way a threat to the political stability of the President and the ruling party.

Oyintiloye, while noting that defection was a normal phenomenon in politics, said it would be “a grave mistake” for anyone to think that the defection of the “so called APC members” would affect the President in 2027.

He said that those who thought the President would fail to win the 2027 election should bury such thought, adding that Tinubu has “a winning strategy in his blood.”

Oyintiloye also said that the long history of good relationships that the President had established across all the geopolitical zones would continue to work in his favour.

He said that the efforts of the President to retool and advance the course of Nigeria to achieve greatness would continue beyond 2027.

“Take it or leave it, no amount of political gang-up can stop the re-election of President Tinubu in 2027.

“Those who are gathering against him ahead of 2027 should try and study the kind of person the President is.

“He has the winning strategy, and he is raising men and women of goodwill across Nigeria.

“His achievements, political sagacity and love for the country will speak for him now and in the future,” he said.

Oyintiloye, also noted that the President was doing everything humanly possible to put the country on the path of greatness, adding that Tinubu’s efforts have started yielding positive results.

“The President will succeed, and his political enemies will realise the mistakes they are making by not supporting him.

“Those who are whipping up sentiments against the President should check his track records, achievements and popularity across Nigeria.

“Tinubu’s political strength, strong connection, influence and resilience which made him triumph over all obstacles to win in 2023, will see him through in 2027,” he stated.

Oyintiloye, however, advised the President to strengthen public engagement and sensitisation on the achievements of his administration in the last few months

He said that this would enable Nigerians to understand, and properly evaluate programmes and policies of the present administration.

According to him, this will enable people in making the right decision which will devoid of sentiment by looking at the positive impacts of the administration’s initiatives on the society at large.

Oyintiloye said “since Tinubu is a man of faith who believes in God, his victory is certain.” (NAN)

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Rivers Assembly passes 3 Bills, Adjourns Plenary Indefinitely

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The Rivers State House of Assembly on Friday passed three bills into law before immediately proceeding on an indefinite recess.

The bills include the Rivers State House of Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Bill, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Bill, and the Rivers State Local Government Bill, 2025.

Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, announced the passage of the bills during a plenary session in Port Harcourt on Friday.

The Powers and Privileges Bills seeks to grant the state lawmakers the authority, privilege and immunity necessary to carry out their legislative duties.

The RSIEC Bill aims to repeal the RSIEC Bill Law No.

2 of 2018, thereby redefining the establishment, composition, and functions of the commission.

The Rivers State Local Government Bill 2025 seeks to repeal the existing Local Government Laws of 2018, 2023, and 2024.

The Deputy Leader of House, Mrs Lynda Somiari-Stewart, concluded the debate on the three committee reports before their final passage, having scaled the third reading.

Following the passage of the bills, Amaewhule adjourned plenary indefinitely, effectively preventing Fubara from presenting the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

The governor had earlier written to the House on Thursday, requesting to present the state budget on March 19, following two previous failed attempts to meet with the lawmakers.

It remains uncertain whether the indefinite plenary adjournment is a deliberate attempt to further delay the budget presentation, despite the directive by the Supreme Court. (NAN)

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Group Urges Senate to Reverse Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension

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A group, FixPolitics Africa says it is standing in solidarity with Sen.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended by the Nigerian Senate for allegedly violating  rules.

The Executive Director of FixPolitics, Dr Anthony Ubani, in a statement ,on Thursday, faulted the senator’s suspension, calling  for her immediate reinstatement by the Senate.

Daily Asset recalls that Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is serving a six-month suspension, had accused the Senate President, Goodwill Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of power.

Ubani said: “We stand in solidarity with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and commend her courage in speaking out on this matter.

“The Senate’s response sets a troubling precedent that may discourage other victims from speaking out for fear of retaliation or dismissal.

“The FixPolitics unequivocally condemns the Senate’s actions and demands the immediate reinstatement of Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“We call on the Senate to uphold justice, transparency, and accountability by ensuring that allegations of this nature are investigated thoroughly and impartially – free from internal biases and procedural technicalities.”

He urged the civil society organisations, human rights advocates, and the Nigerian public to join the group in demanding a legislative environment where all members could perform their duties without fear of harassment or unjust reprisal.

He added, “The integrity of our democracy depends on institutions that serve all Nigerians without bias or discrimination.”

According to him, the FixPolitics is a research-driven, citizen-led initiative committed to addressing the deep-rooted challenges of poor governance by recognising the central role of politics in building effective states and shaping Africa’s development, beginning with Nigeria.

He said that the group remained steadfast in its commitment to advocating an inclusive, transparent, and accountable political system.

“We will continue to monitor this situation closely and support all efforts that promote justice, equity, and the protection of democratic values in Nigeria,” he added.

Ubani described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension as a threat to democracy, gender inclusion, and the rule of law.

According to him, by imposing the suspension, the Senate has not only silenced Akpoti-Uduaghan but also disenfranchised the people of Kogi Central senatorial zone, depriving them of their constitutional right to representation.

“Beyond undermining democratic principles, this punitive measure also calls into question the institution’s willingness to address misconduct within its ranks.

“Female representation in the Senate has plummeted by nearly 50 per cent – from seven women in the 9th Assembly to just four in the 10th Assembly.

“This decision sets a dangerous precedent that could further discourage women from political participation and silence victims of harassment.
“The unconstitutional suspension of a duly elected legislator denied constituents their fundamental right to representation in the National Assembly.

“In this case, an entire senatorial district in Kogi State is being disenfranchised – an outcome that contradicts both the spirit and letter of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). (NAN)

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