By Gloria Ikibah

Member representing Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Federal Constituency of Osu  state, in the House of Representatives, Rep. Bamidele Salamhas called on state governments and stakeholders to work together to ensure the effective implementation of the Child Rights Act across Nigeria.  

Rep. Salam who is the Founder of the Children of Africa Leadership and Values Development Initiative (CALDEV), stated this at the openopening a five-day National Children’s Leadership Conference in Abuja, on Monday, stressed the importance of enforcing existing laws to protect Nigerian children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

“The Child Rights Act is not just a law—it’s a lifeline for millions of children. It ensures their right to education, healthcare, and a safe environment. But how many states are truly implementing its provisions?” Salam asked.

He called  on corporate organisations to support CALDEV’s expansion, even as he emphasised that the future of any society depends on its investment in children.

“A society that neglects its children neglects its future. We must act now to build a generation equipped with values, leadership skills, and a sense of service.

He highlighted specific areas where the law falls short in practice:  “The Act prohibits children from hawking or begging on the streets and requires that every child be in school during school hours. Yet, enforcement is weak, and accountability is rare.

“He questioned if rescued out-of-school children are being reintegrated into education or if they are falling back into old cycles of hardship.

Salam further stressed the need for collaboration among government agencies, civil society, and communities to ensure children’s rights are upheld.

He said that CALDEV has implemented programs to mentor and empower children, focusing on leadership education, scholarships, and support for marginalized groups such as out-of-school children and those in orphanages.

“We’ve partnered with institutions like the National Human Rights Commission and the Universal Basic Education Commission to advocate for children and provide educational materials,” Salam said.

He also mentioned distributing 50,000 books to schools nationwide under the African Children Leadership Series.

Despite these efforts, Salam lamented the persistence of children hawking and begging on Abuja streets, stating, “This is far from what the law envisions. We must prioritize enforcement through stronger collaboration.”

Impact of the Leadership Conference

The conference has become a transformative platform, empowering young participants to discover themselves, develop leadership skills, and address real-world problems.

“True education isn’t just about reading and writing—it’s about fostering critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Participants leave as ambassadors, training others and creating a ripple effect in their schools and communities,” Salam explained.

The conference’s growing impact has inspired plans for expansion. In 2025, CALDEV will host delegates from other West African countries, starting with Ghana, Gambia, and Sierra Leone.

Building the Next Generation of Leaders

Hon. Martins Etim, Chairman of the House Committee on Youth Development, praised the initiative, which began in 2015, for nurturing leadership potential in children aged 13 to 17.

“Leadership starts with self-discovery. Once young people understand themselves, they can lead their families, communities, and the nation. This initiative is about shaping a generation that will drive Nigeria forward,” Etim said.

Borno South Senator Ali Ndume has appealed to the upper chamber to support the widow of late Ifeanyi Ubah to replace her husband as the senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District.

Mr Ndume made the appeal on Tuesday during the valedictory session organised by the Senate in honour of the late senator.

Mr Ubah, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), died at the age of 52 in a London hospital after a brief illness in July. He defected to the APC from the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in October 2023 and declared his interest in contesting the Anambra 2025 governorship election.

Until his death, Mr Ubah was the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream. Kano South Senator Kawu Sumaila has since been appointed to replace him. During the valedictory service, Mr Ndume appealed to his colleagues to ensure that the late Mr Ubah’s widow replaced her husband to continue the senator’s legacies.

The Borno senator recounted that some deceased senators were succeeded by their wives and relations. In contrast, others became members of the upper chamber under the influence of their husbands and fathers. He appealed that this should be extended to Mr Ubah’s widow. “It happened before. Chuba Okadigbo was a great politician. When he died, years after, his wife, the widow Margery, sitting around here.

President Bola Tinubu has requested the National Assembly for approval of N1.767tn loan already captured in the external borrowing plan for implementation of the N28.7trillion 2024 budget.

President Tinubu who made the request in separate letters read in Senate and House of Representatives during plenary on Tuesday, said if approved, the loan will be used to part-finance the budget deficit of N9.7tn for the 2024 budget.

The Senate President , Godswill Akpabio after reading the letter , mandated the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign to work on the request and report back within 24 hours .

“The Presidential request for $2.2billion , equivalent of N1.767trillion loan is already enshrined in the external borrowing plan for the 2024 fiscal year .

” The Senate Committee on Local and foreign debts , should therefore , give the request expeditious consideration and report back within 24 hours .

The president has also forwarded the Medium Term Expenditure Frame work (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) for 2025- 2027 to both the Senate and the House of Representatives .

In giving the request expeditious consideration , Senator Godswill Akpabio after reading the letter containing it , mandated the Senate Committee on Finance , National Planning and Economic Affairs to consider it at committee level and report back in one week.

Key parameters in the 2025 – 2027 MTEF/FSP documents needed for consideration and approval of the proposed N47.9trillion 2025 budget are ÷ $75 oil price benchmark per barrel, Daily Oil Production of 2.06 million barrels , Exchange Rate of N1,400 to $1 and targeted GDP Growth rate of 6.4%..

President Tinubu in another letter to both chambers of the National Assembly , sought approval for Social Investment Programme Amendment Bill

The proposed amendment aims to strengthen the framework for implementing the government’s social welfare programmes, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency.

He explained further that the amendment seeks to designate the National Investment Register as the primary tool for targeting beneficiaries of social investment initiatives. This measure, he said, would ensure that welfare programmes are data-driven and deliver effective social protection to Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens.

“The amendment will make our social and welfare programmes more transparent, efficient, and impactful in addressing the needs of vulnerable Nigerians,” he said

He further noted that the request was made in accordance with Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and urged the Senate to give the bill urgent consideration.

The proposed amendment, if passed, will improve the management and delivery of social investment programmes, enhancing their capacity to combat poverty and inequality across the country. The Senate has referred the bill to relevant committees for review and is expected to deliberate on the proposal in subsequent sessions.

This development indicates that the Tinubu’s administration is committed to leveraging technology and data to optimize the impact of its social welfare initiatives.