Wife of Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike has called for the domestication of the Child Rights Act by all states of the Federation for a brighter future for the country.
Speaking during a Courtesy Visit by the Minister of Women Affairs at the Government House Port Harcourt on Thursday, Justice Nyesom-Wike said that it is in the best interest of the Girl-Child, if all states domesticate the Act.
“Wherever Child Rights Act has not been domesticated, it should be domesticated. If it is domesticated in the North East and North West States, we will improve the quality of lives of the Girl-Child.
“We are working to ensure that the next generation is better than us. When the Child Rights Act come through in all states of the Federation, it will be worthy of celebration “, she said.
She noted that if girls are educated , they delay marriage, delay childbirth and give birth to fewer children when they eventually marry.
Justice Nyesom-Wike said that the offsprings of an educated woman are usually better off than children of uneducated women. She said the educated women are empowered to impact their kids with knowledge.
She said assured the Minister of Women Affairs of collaboration and cooperation to tackle the challenges facing the Girl-Child.
“The Governor is women friendly. He will get better in his appointments. He stayed with the Deputy Governor. That is a good sign. We also have a Female Chief Judge and we have 23 Vice Chairmen for the 23 Local Government Areas “, he said.
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen appealed to the Wife of the Rivers State Governor to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to develop Girl-Child Education.
She said once the Girl-Child acquires Education, the entire country will experience a positive impact of their knowledge.
“We are reaching out to the Wives of Governors to ensure that this collaboration gets to the grassroots, the Local Government Areas and wards”, she said.
The Minister noted that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs is working with other stakeholders to ensure that all states domesticate the Child Rights Act.
Tallen decried the increasing rate of violence against women. She also lamented the rising cases of elderly men raping under-aged girls.
She called for tougher action to protect women and girls from violence.
