Gombe Traditional Ruler Backs UNICEF on Child Rights Protection
By Hajara Usman
A traditional ruler, Alhaji Idris Atiku, District Head of Barunde-Kumo in Akko Local Government Area, has pledged support to strengthen child rights protection.
Atiku made the pledge at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Gombe for Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe States.
He assured that he would cascade the key messages from the engagement to traditional leaders across the state during their monthly meetings, noting that this would help achieve the objectives of promoting and protecting child rights at the grassroots level.
The district head described the engagement as timely and apt, stressing that traditional institutions play a vital role in shaping societal values and safeguarding children against abuse, particularly sexual assault.
He also appreciated the media for their sustained efforts in creating awareness on child rights issues.
Earlier, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, UNICEF Chief in Bauchi, tasked stakeholders to intensify advocacy on child rights protection, particularly against sexual assault in Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe States.
Rafique said that child rights begin with birth registration, breastfeeding, access to quality healthcare, proper nutrition and basic education.
She emphasised that parents must understand that protecting children from all forms of harm is a fundamental right, adding that children must be respected as they are gifts from God and leaders of tomorrow.
She also urged parents, especially in Nigeria, to utilise locally available farm produce to improve children’s nutrition and combat malnutrition, which she described as a major cause of child mortality.
Also speaking, Mrs Ladi Alabi, Child Protection Specialist with UNICEF, said child rights issues are wide-ranging and require stakeholders not only to understand them but also to translate the knowledge into practical actions.
Alabi stressed that applying this knowledge would help prevent and respond effectively to violence against children, particularly sexual assault.
She emphasised that awareness creation remains key to prevention, calling on participants to sustain their commitment towards reducing cases of child rights violations and strengthening protection systems across communities.
