The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has made a commitment with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Systems in Nigeria in ensuring that children caught up in conflicts in the country are protected.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, who disclosed this says the handover protocol will discourage the detention of children allegedly associated with armed groups.
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According to the Minister, the agreement will also enable proper integration of the children into the society through educational and psychosocial support while also giving them the privilege of acquiring an identity.
Meanwhile, the UNICEF representative said such children will be transferred within seven days to the ministry of women affairs and social development for proper support.
The handover protocol is a practical tool to prevent or reduce the detention of children encountered by military and security forces during armed conflict and presents an opportunity to identify and transfer children allegedly associated with armed groups within a period of seven days to the ministry of women affairs and social development.
The government of Nigeria and UNICEF promised to continue to work together to ensure that children allegedly associated with armed groups receive appropriate, tailored social and economic reintegration assistance that supports the children, families, and communities’ resilience and social cohesion through child protection, education, psychosocial support, vocational and skills development.
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