The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen has condemned the recent upsurge violence against migrants in South Africa, describing it as sad and unacceptable.
Tallen made this condemnation at the weekend during a media conference to mark resumption of school children.
She appealed for calm, adding that Nigeria contributed immensely to the defeat of apartheid in South Africa and its independence.
“What happened in South Africa is heart-breaking and I condemn it totally. Mr President has taken the matter with all seriousness by sending envoys are already meeting with Ambassadors to ensure Nigerians are safe.
“I appealed for calm and pray for all Africans to support one and another and ensure all Africans are safe all over the world,” she said.
Speaking on reduction of maternal and child deaths, and other health related issues, she said the Ministry intended to undertake the national level advocacy meeting with Minister of Health and other relevant stakeholders.
”The ministry intends to mobilise communities to promote routine immunisation and advocacy activities aimed at educating and sensitising mothers and caregivers on boosting the nutrition status of children and popularizing Iocally available weaning food,” Tallen said.
She said children constituted the foundation on which the future of nations was built, stressing that their early years had a profound impact on their future, health, development, learning and well being.
Tallen said education was the major ingredient for self-actualisation and attainment of potentials of any child, saying it was basic human rights recognised by the Child Rights Act.
“The North- East with 53.3 per cent holds forth highest number of girls, out of school of primary school age, while the South-East had the lowest number of girls out of school at 46.2 per cent.
“States in the North-East and North-West have female primary net attendances rates of 47.7 and 47.3 percent respectively. Indicating that half of the girls are not in school.
“The Girl Child is often withdrawn from school for early marriage due to economic reasons or some other excuses such inability of parents to pay school fees, provide school uniforms, books, sandals and other hidden cost involved in the education of children,” Tallen said.
She said Ministry would continue to focus on the girl child education and mentoring in order to improve the quality of manpower and population of Nigeria, adding that collaboration with the Ministry of Education would be robustly strengthened.
Tallen, however, condemned the recent upsurge in violence against migrants in South Africa saying it was sad and unacceptable.
She appealed for calm, adding that Nigeria had contributed immensely to the apartheid of South Africa and independence.
“What happened in South Africa is heart breaking and condemn it totally.Mr President has taken the matter with all seriousness by sending envoys are already meeting with Ambassadors to ensure Nigerians are safe.
“I appealed for calm and pray for all Africans to support one and another and ensure all Africans are safe all over the world,” she said.
