Founder of a Non-Governmental Organisation, IA-Foundation, Mrs Ibironke Adeagbo, has called on the Federal Government to conduct dental age assessments on all the detained children.
It would be recalled 76 individuals, including 27 minors, who were participating in the End Bad Governance protest and eld for over 90 days without appropriate consideration of their age and well-being.
While speaking with Tribune Online on Saturday, She noted that they should be transferred to juvenile correctional facilities if detainees are confirmed to be under 18, as stipulated by law.
Adeagbo said the minors must be granted access to education while in detention, as required by Section 250 of the Child Rights Act.
The Founder stated the Act explicitly mandates that detained children must not be deprived of their right to education.
The out-of-school children expert added that it is apparent from the children’s malnourished condition that their basic needs have not been adequately met during their detention.
She lamented that one of the root causes of the situation is the lack of access to education, which left these children vulnerable and available to participate in protest, noting that lessons must be learnt from this and ensure the same mistakes are not repeated.
The Founder, therefore, called upon the government to not only ascertain the ages of the detained individuals but also to provide immediate educational opportunities to those who are minors.
According to her, the children deserve a fair chance at a better future, and denying them education further perpetuates the cycle of disadvantage and vulnerability.
This was just as she stated that the foundation remains committed to advocating for children’s rights and ensuring that no child is deprived of education, regardless of the circumstances.
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