By Chioma Obinna

THE Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Prof. Innocent Ujah, has stressed the need for governments to invest in children saying that,  ‘children are the most nation’s valuable resource’.

Speaking during a symposium organised by the Institute’s Maternal, Reproductive and Child Health Research Group, Ujah said failing to invest in the children today would  perpetuate the cycle of underdevelopment in a country.

He said the way and manner a nation cares for the welfare of her children is a reflection of such nation’s level of social and economic development.

Noting that children’s day should be a day filled with activities devoted to promoting the objectives and ideals of the rights of the child said the institute has been carrying out research on issues concerning children with a view to finding solutions to the problems.

Ujah said a research carried out by the institute on Child Sexual Abuse in 2014 among adolescents at the community level using Mushin as the study community said findings showed that the prevalence of sexually abused children was as high as 23.6 percent.

*Child hawkers

The result showed that out – of – school adolescents and those with dysfunctional homes as well as low socio- economic circumstances were at increased risk of sexual abuse.

“Access to formal education by children was thought to be a factor for the improved standard of living of children in the community. Further research that will include a representative sample for Nigeria is inevitable if an informed and evidence based policy would be made for effective implementation,” he stated.

Speaking on the theme :”The Burden of Street Children in Nigeria”, the DG regretted that the number of street children was on the increase despite the best national, regional and global efforts to ensure wellbeing of children.

“Street children fall into this category. They are found in every city worldwide. They are most neglected even sometimes victimised by the society which ought to protect and care for them.

“The lack basic services like education, health, and shelter which should be their fundamental rights but unfortunately are taken for granted by various governments and organisations even children in more fortunate circumstances.

He said as research institute the onus is on them to carry out a nationwide research to determine the magnitude of street children, the predisposing factors, and suggest ways of reducing the burden for informed policy by the three tiers of government as well as philanthropists that would address the menace.

Head of the Research Group, Dr. Oliver Ezechi regretted that many street children have ended up as drug addicts and other crimes.  He said the symposium was to educate the school children on the dangers of such vices and the need to stay away from crime.

In her lecture entitled: “Burden of street children”, Dr. Nkiru David noted that though street children are visible they are most invisible.

Aa study conducted in Enugu, Ibadan, and Kaduna showed that more females are more on the streets than males. “In Enugu about 414 were discovered, Kaduna 1,959 and 1,931 was found in Ibadan.