A member of the House of Representatives, Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, has called for the establishment of a Child Rights and Welfare Commission to strengthen the protection of children and address welfare-related challenges across the country.
The lawmaker disclosed this on Wednesday in a post shared on X, stating that the proposal was presented on the floor of the House of Representatives as part of efforts to improve child protection systems and ensure better enforcement of existing laws.
According to the lawmaker, children remain among the most vulnerable groups in society, often facing abuse, neglect, exploitation and other systemic failures.
“Recently, at the floor of the House of Representatives, I canvassed for the establishment of a Child Rights and Welfare Commission to strengthen the protection of children’s rights and address related welfare matters in our society,” the statement read.
The lawmaker noted that while several laws and policies already exist to safeguard children, the absence of a dedicated institution has continued to weaken implementation, monitoring and timely intervention.
“Children remain one of the most vulnerable segments of our society, often exposed to abuse, neglect, exploitation, and several systemic gaps in protection,” the statement added.
The proposed commission, according to the lawmaker, would function as a central institution responsible for promoting children’s rights, monitoring compliance with child protection laws, addressing abuse cases, and coordinating efforts among government agencies, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders.
It was also stated that the body would drive policy reforms and create public awareness on child welfare matters nationwide.
“I firmly believe that investing in our children is not only a moral responsibility but also a strategic necessity for sustainable development. Any society that fails to protect its children risks undermining its own future,” the lawmaker said.
The representative further described the advocacy as part of a commitment to people-centred governance and human capital development from the grassroots level.
“The establishment of this Commission will strengthen our institutional framework and ensure that every child is given a fair opportunity to grow, thrive, and contribute meaningfully to society,” the statement added.
