OWERRI- Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo has urged the state assembly to enact a law to prevent any form of violence against children in the state.
Okorocha made the call in Owerri on Wednesday while addressing children at the 2015 Children’s Day celebration held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium.
The governor said the law would focus on those who initiate or carry out violence against children.
He commended the international community for coming up with the theme of the ceremony “Violence Against Children, Addressing the Challenges’’.
He said the children were the future, hope and leaders of tomorrow whom the society should treat with care and concern.
Okorocha reiterated his administration’s determination to continue with the free education programme from primary to the tertiary level as well as create an enabling educational environment.
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“Our foremost industry is education. Education will continue to occupy its primary position in the state,” he said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs in the state, Lady Nma Onyechere, said that the day was earmarked to remember and appreciate the importance of children in the society.
She said the state government had engaged in activities to improve the lives of parents and children through free education.
The commissioner said the government also carried out interventions to combat the baby factory syndrome and other forms of child abuse in the state.
Onyechere said the government operated the Imo Children’s Parliament where children drawn from the 27 local government areas were represented to discuss issues of on uplift.
The highlight of the programme was the march-past, cultural displays and presentation of certificates and gifts to schools. (NAN)
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