By Hadizah Abdulrahman, Abuja
The Young Ambassador Against Drug Abuse Initiative (YAADAI), a non-governmental organisation, has urged the Federal Government to ensure the sustained implementation of programmes aimed at helping street children.
At an event in Abuja commemorating the 2023 International Day for Street Children, the National Coordinator of YAADA, Zainab Khalil, emphasised the importance of such a commitment from the government to provide a sense of belonging for such children and to address their challenges.
Ms Khalil reaffirmed YAADAI’s dedication to collaborating with various stakeholders to offer support to street children and also appealed to the government to involve such children in the decision making process.
Expressing gratitude at the event, one of the Street Children Ambassadors, Aliya Muhammed, appreciated the organisers and urged the government to prioritise support for them, especially given the current economic circumstances.
The CEO of One Percent International Management, Ambassador Stephanie Nnadi, and the Legislative Aide to the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Account, Lubem Gena, emphasised the need for well-meaning Nigerians and other NGOs to work alongside the government in tackling the issue of street children, acknowledging that governmental efforts alone may not suffice.
International Day for the Street Children is observed annually on April 12.
The day is dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of street children and to promoting their inclusion and well-being.
Radio NigeriaÂ
