UNICEF, Stakeholders Task Media, Traditional Leaders On Child Protection

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and stakeholders from Gombe, Bauchi and Adamawa states have called for a collective action to safeguard children’s rights and strengthen protection systems across communities.

They made the call yesterday at the one-day stakeholders’ Roundtable and Media Advocacy on child rights organised by UNICEF Bauchi field office, held in Gombe, which brought together security agencies, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, and journalists from the three Northeastern states.

The event featured presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions aimed at strengthening advocacy, coordination, and enforcement of child rights.

In her opening remarks, the Chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, noted that child protection is a fundamental right that must be guaranteed at all levels.

She explained that child rights begin at birth, highlighting birth registration as the first critical step in recognising a child’s identity and access to services.

She further emphasised the importance of maternal and child healthcare, noting that Nigeria continues to face high rates of maternal and infant mortality.

“Both mother and child must have access to quality healthcare to ensure safe delivery and healthy development,” she said.

Dr. Rafique also lamented the preventable childhood deaths, malnutrition, and poor feeding practices, describing exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months as essential for building immunity and promoting healthy growth.

She warned that malnutrition remains a leading cause of death among children under five, despite the country’s abundant food resources, and called for improved awareness among mothers on proper nutrition using local foods.

The UNICEF chief expressed concern over increasing cases of abuse, including sexual violence against minors, describing them as grave violations with long-term physical and psychological consequences.

She called for stronger referral systems and better access to care for survivors, while identifying a lack of education and awareness as major drivers of child rights violations.

“If every child is educated, tomorrow’s parents will be better equipped to protect their children,” she said, urging stakeholders to prioritise education as a long-term solution.

Dr. Rafique tasked journalists, traditional rulers, and community leaders to intensify awareness campaigns and ensure that child rights are protected and enforced at all levels.

In her presentation, Ladi Alabi, Child Protection Specialist at the Bauchi Field Office of the United Nations Children’s Fund, also emphasised that safeguarding children is a shared responsibility that requires the active involvement of all stakeholders.

She noted that protecting children from abuse cannot be left to the government alone, but must involve families, communities, security agencies, media, and civil society working together in a coordinated manner. According to her, building a culture of zero tolerance for child abuse starts with collective commitment and consistent advocacy at all levels.

Alabi further urged participants to move beyond discussions and translate commitments into concrete actions, stressing the need for sustained awareness campaigns and community engagement.

Also speaking, a traditional title holder in Gombe, Idris Mohammad Atiku, the district head of Barunde, emphasised the importance of community-driven advocacy.

He called on participants, particularly the media, to take ownership of the campaign by amplifying child protection messages across grassroots communities.

“People listen to the radio and follow social media. The media must lead in sensitisation and awareness creation,” he said.

Atiku also pledged the support of traditional institutions, noting that messages from the roundtable would be disseminated across districts in Gombe State through existing leadership structures.

According to the traditional leader, “We have over 160 districts, and we will convene meetings to share what we have learned here.”

He assured that community leaders would play their part in advancing child protection efforts, maintaining that the ongoing interventions, such as Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC), are critical in supporting survivors and improving response mechanisms.