FG’s At-Risk project targets 9m unprotected children

The At-Risk Children Project (ARC-P) of the Federal Government will offer protection to over 9 million unprotected children in the country, the Special Adviser to the President on Social Investments, Mrs. Maryam Uwais has disclosed. 

Uwais stated this while unveiling the programme, a strategic national response to address the problem of vulnerable children coordinated by her office to the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in Lagos.

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The Special Adviser disclosed  that ARC-P’s vision is to comprehensively address cross-cutting concerns of at-risk children and provide them with a life of dignity.

According to him, the At-Risk Children deal daily with violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and exclusion.

“In the family and communities, children should be fully protected so they can survive, grow, learn and develop to their fullest potential,” she said.

The project’s mission, Uwais stated, “is to facilitate programmes that will ensure the integration of at-risk children and young adults by creating opportunities for skills and empowerment to reduce their vulnerabilities.”

According to her, the ARC-P would nurture children with dignity and respect, raise equality citizens and bridge the poverty gap.

“A key objective of the program will provide protection and hope to youth and children who are vulnerable, for a productive life through learning, combined with improved health outcomes, values and skills.

“It will also provide meaningful, impactful and pragmatic quality programs that empower the children to become productive to themselves, their families, communities and society,” Uwais added.

Responding, some of the companies, including Lafarge Africa Plc, ANAP Holdings, Airtel Nigeria, International Finance Corporation, Flour Mills of Nigeria, Wema Bank, Aliko Dangote Foundation, FBN Quest Trustees, StanbicIBTC, InterSwitch, Murtala Muhammed Foundation and Accelerex Network, commended the initiative.

The At-Risk Children Project is domiciled in the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment.