By Isaac Asabor
ASABA/Nigeria: A non-profit and non-governmental organization in Nigeria, called A Mother’s Love Initiative (AMLi), is advocating for equal rights and opportunities for African children in the digital environment.
The organization aims to protect the well-being and future of African children through research, advocacy, and psychosocial interventions. It specifically opposes the admission of underage children into schools and the prevalence of hurried child syndrome. In commemoration of the OAU Day of the African Child, celebrated on June 16 each year, AMLi has urged African leaders to collaborate and develop proper policies that will enable the African child to compete globally.
This year’s theme, “Children’s rights in the digital environment,” emphasizes the need for African leadership, particularly Nigeria, to invest in digital education for the rapidly growing population of African children. Barrister Hanatu A. Enwemadu, the Founder/President of AMLi, stressed the significance of this issue in a media chat with journalists. She highlighted that Africa is currently home to over 400 million children, with the United Nations projecting a population of 2.4 billion by 2050, representing one-quarter of the world’s population.
Barrister Enwemadu emphasized the importance of Nigerian and African leaders reaffirming their commitment to the future of the African child. She called for addressing the unique challenges faced by children and prioritizing education that aligns with the demands of the 21st century. Reformation and enforcement of policies that positively impact the education sector are crucial, ensuring that every Nigerian and African child has access to quality education.
In addition to education, Barrister Enwemadu highlighted the significance of access to healthcare services, proper nutrition, and comprehensive support systems in creating a healthy and prosperous future for Nigerian and African children. She emphasized the importance of empowerment in shaping their future and stressed the need to review the centrality of children and their protection.
AMLi encouraged African leaders to provide opportunities for skill development, vocational training, and entrepreneurship, as these indirectly contribute to the well-being of children in society. They emphasized the necessity of collaboration in securing the future and well-being of Nigerian and African children. Governments, civil society organizations, communities, and individuals were urged to work together, pooling resources, expertise, and knowledge. AMLi called on the current Nigerian government, under the leadership of His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and other African leaders to establish partnerships and share best practices. Together, they can create a collective force that uplifts the lives of Nigerian and African children.
