Children’s Day: FG launches child safety, protection initiative

The Federal Government, in collaboration with the National Union of Road Transport, yesterday flagged off Children Accident Prevention Initiative (CAPI) tagged “Go to School…Be Seen…Be Safe” and unveiled customized not-for-sale reflective jackets for school children.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, at the national launch of CAPI in Abuja to mark Children’s Day, said this was in addition to other accident prevention infrastructure to aid the prevention of accidents and provide immediate care and support for school children that sustain injuries while trekking to and from neighborhood schools.

Adamu, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, said it was in pursuant to the good health and wellbeing of school age children and realization of quality education in Nigeria.

“This laudable initiative is designed to primarily aid the protection of school children from road accidents associated with motor vehicles, motorcycles and tricycles while crossing our busy network of roads to and from their respective schools,” he said.

While noting that it was enshrined in the Memorandum of Understanding, the program encompasses a phased kiting of school children within the ages of 4-14 years in selected schools at Federal and state levels, with customized reflective jackets and armbands free of charge.

“Occasionally, some children that trek through busy roads to their schools are knocked down, injured, maimed for life or even killed instantly. We are aware of the emotional trauma parents go through and the socio-economic impact therein,” he said.

The Minister, however, encouraged the expansion of the programme throughout the 36 states and the FCT, the local government areas and all wards in Nigeria to ensure inclusion.