CRC/C/NGA/CO/3-4 UNICEF, OHCHR, and the World Health Organization (WHO), and other relevant agencies and organizations. Right to freedom of religion and belief 44. Whilst noting the measure taken by the Government to create the Nigerian InterReligious Council (NIREC) in order to facilitate dialogue among the various religions of the country, the Committee is concerned by the limitations affecting children in the exercise of their right to freedom of religion due to different tensions between the religious communities and that these tensions have created a climate of fear of openly manifesting their religion. Furthermore the Committee is concerned that, in certain regions, the fact to convert to another religion is considered as a grave offence and is sentenced with extremely severe penalties. 45. The Committee recommends that the State party take all appropriate action to ensure to children the free practice of their religion and the respect of their right to freedom of religion and belief. The Committee recommends also that the State party favours a climate of religious tolerance and that it not stigmatize children, in particular by not considering the choice of religion as a criminal offence. Child rights and the business sector 46. The Committee is very concerned at reports on the environmental degradation and widespread pollution in the Niger Delta as a result of the oil industry operating in the area, and its impact on the health and standard of living of children. The Committee also notes with concern information that the population in the Niger Delta suffers from respiratory problems, such as asthma and bronchitis, as a result of toxins released from gas flaring. The Committee is furthermore concerned about the negative effects on children of global climate change, including in the context of the desertification in the northern states. 47. The Committee recommends that the State party takes immediate measures to address these concerns and to reduce pollution and environmental degradation in the Niger Delta. These measures include establishing independent oversight bodies to assess the safety operations of the petroleum industry, and developing appropriate standards on environmental and social responsibility of the business sector, in consultation with the public. The Committee furthermore recommends that the State party work alongside the business sector to increase, through the school curriculum and communication programmes, the knowledge of children, parents, teachers and the public at large on environmental issues, including on the effect of oil extraction on health and livelihoods as well as of growing desertification in the North and its related effects on the health of children, such as malnutrition. Family environment and alternative care (arts. 5; 18, paras. 1-2); 9-11; 19-21; 25; 27, para. 4; and 39 of the Convention) Family environment 48. While welcoming the proposed framework in the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS II) for providing support to vulnerable groups, including single parents and teenage mothers, the Committee regrets the lack of information in the State party’s report on measures taken to support parents, guardians or members of the extended family in providing appropriate direction and guidance in the child’s exercise of its rights and to support them in the performance of their child-rearing responsibilities. It furthermore regrets that no available disaggregated data exists concerning single-parent families and is concerned about the reported social stigmatization facing single mothers. 11