Yobe CSOs Sensitise Public On Child Protection Law

The Network of Yobe Civil Society Organisations (NYCSO), in partnership with the Yobe State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, has organised a stakeholders’ dialogue to sensitise the public on the implementation of the Yobe State Child Protection Law (2024).

The event, held at the Ceders Recreational Centre in Damaturu, brought together representatives from various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), civil society groups and development partners across the state.

Speaking at the dialogue, the executive director of NYCSO, Alhaji Mohammed Baba Kucici, said the partnership with the state government and international organisations was aimed at strengthening implementation of the Child Protection Law through capacity building, advocacy and monitoring of child protection programmes.

He explained that the goal of the engagement was to educate the public on the provisions of the law, reporting channels for cases of abuse, penalties for offenders, and the responsibilities of community leaders in safeguarding children.

According to him, the dialogue also aimed to assess gaps in awareness, reporting mechanisms, enforcement and support systems for survivors of child abuse.

Alhaji Kucici said NYCSO would continue to engage relevant authorities using evidence-based advocacy to strengthen the law where necessary.

“To guide us deeply, we have structured this engagement into three panel discussions, feedback from the community, featuring experts from government, civil society, and grassroots practitioners,” he said.

He urged participants to actively contribute to discussions and help develop a roadmap for effective implementation of the law across the state.

In his goodwill message, the Director of Human Resources Management at the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Ali Tijjani, commended NYCSO for its grassroots sensitisation efforts, noting that the ministry remains committed to supporting a functional reporting and justice system for child protection.

He stressed that child protection is not optional, adding that every community deserves a system that ensures justice for children.

“Child protection is not optional. The law is necessary because every community deserves a voice to be heard for justice,” he said.

Also speaking, the representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Joshua Akanji, described the dialogue as timely, stressing the need to strengthen the implementation framework of the law.

He said UNHCR remains committed to supporting child protection initiatives and called for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to ensure effective enforcement across Yobe State.

In their separate remarks, representatives of persons with special needs in Yobe State, Kawudima Barma, and the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), commended the initiative, describing it as inclusive and vital to strengthening child protection systems in the state.