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Chibok Schoolgirls Abduction’s Commemoration: UNICEF Calls for Intensified Protection of Nigerian Children
Chibok Schoolgirls Abduction’s Commemoration: UNICEF Calls for Intensified Protection of Nigerian Children
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for intensified efforts to protect the country’s most vulnerable population—its children.
The call was made in a statement marking the 10 year commemoration of the abduction of schoolgirls by terrorist group Boko Haram from Chibok, Borno State, Northeast Nigeria.
The statement read that: “As Nigeria marks 10 years since the mass Chibok abductions in the Northeast, 90 girls remain in captivity, and the country is recovering from another abduction of schoolchildren in Kaduna state in March of this year. UNICEF is calling for intensified efforts to protect the country’s most vulnerable population—its children.
A report, Minimum Standards for Safe Schools (MSSS) Monitoring Report released by UNICEF on Monday revealed a stark reality that the journey toward ensuring every Nigerian child can learn in a safe environment is far from over.
The report showed that just 37 per cent of schools across 10 states have early warning systems in place to identify threats, such as school attacks.
UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Cristian Munduate said: “The kidnapping of the Chibok girls was a wake-up call to the severe risks our children face in their pursuit of education,” adding that: “Today, reflecting on this tragedy and other recent abductions, it is evident that our efforts to safeguard our children’s futures must be amplified. Given these alarming statistics, we must address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of this crisis. Education is a fundamental right and a crucial pathway out of poverty. Yet, for too many Nigerian children, it remains an unattainable dream.”
The analysis looked at six result areas – strong school system, violence against children, natural hazards, conflict, everyday hazards, and safe school infrastructure – and uncovered significant disparities in the implementation of safe school standards across Nigerian states.
It shows Borno State, with a 70 per cent fulfilment of the standards, exemplifies a strong commitment to child safety amidst adversity. Yobe State also demonstrates promising progress. In contrast, Kaduna and Sokoto states lag significantly, with fulfilment rates at just 25 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively. In addition to the finding on early warning systems and conflict, the report shows that while schools perform relatively well in terms of training school-based management committees on safety and responding to children’s well-being concerns, only 14 per cent of the participating schools across the 10 assessed states have functioning, safe, accessible infrastructure and just 36 per cent have school staff trained on natural hazards.
According to the statement, “the analysis comes on the heels of disturbing reports of violence affecting schools with brazen abductions of students on the rise. In the last 10 years, conflict-related violence has led to more than 1,680 children abducted while at school and elsewhere; 180 children killed due to attacks on schools; an estimated 60 school staff kidnapped and 14 killed; and more than 70 attacks on schools, according verified reports by the United Nations.
“The threat of abduction of students is severely affecting children’s learning. As of 2021, over one million children were afraid to return to school, and in 2020, around 11,500 schools were closed due to attacks, according to Policy Weekly by Nextier.”
UNICEF Nigeria therefore called for the government, partners, and the international community to take decisive action to: Ensure all schools across all states have the resources and tools to fully implement the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools, focusing on the most vulnerable regions; Address critical gaps in safe school infrastructure, preparedness for natural disasters, conflicts, and comprehensive approaches to violence against children; Strengthen law enforcement and security measures to protect educational institutions and communities from attacks and abductions.
“Prioritize education and child protection in national policies and budget allocations to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all Nigerian children; Ensure the continuity of education and learning when schools are shut through multiple learning pathways such as radio and TV programmes and through digital platforms like the Nigeria Learning Passport.”
UNICEF said it is working with the government to ensure that every child can access safe learning environments, adding that it has supported the inauguration of state safe school steering committees and the drafting of state costed implementation plans for safe schools in 13 states, as well as provide school grants, safety kits, training and awareness raising to accelerate the implementation of the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools.
NigerianMunduate said: “As we remember the Chibok girls and all children whose right to education has been compromised, let this somber anniversary serve as a catalyst for change. However, we must acknowledge the recent abductions, which underscore the persistent vulnerability of our schools. To ensure that schools are safe havens, strong political will and proper implementation of safe school standards are essential. Together, we can restore trust between educational institutions and the communities they serve, ensuring schools are sanctuaries for learning and growth.”
Chibok Schoolgirls Abduction’s Commemoration: UNICEF Calls for Intensified Protection of Nigerian Children
Zulum distributes N250m to 25,000 widows, vulnerable women in Gwoza
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum supervised the distribution of N250 million to over 25,000 widows and vulnerable women through the Borno Renaissance Microfinance Bank in Gwoza Local Government Area on Wednesday.
The distribution took place in four centres, including Central Stadium, Mega Primary School, Government Secondary School and Government Day Secondary School, all in Gwoza town.
The distribution, according to Zulum, was to support women who were victims of the Boko Haram insurgents, some of whom has lost their husbands due to the crisis.
“About 25,000 women benefited from today’s distribution exercise; each of them received N10,000 through the microfinance Bank; we have facilitated the opening of Bank accounts to them to drive financial inclusion,” Zulum said.
He added, “Gradually, we intend to cover all the 27 Local Government Areas and ensure that a sizable number of the population have bank accounts.”
.. Inspects nursing school, approves high Islamic college
Meanwhile, Governor Zulum paid an inspection visit to assess the level and quality of work at the ongoing construction of the school of Nursing in Gwoza.
Zulum, who expressed satisfaction with the quality of the work, directed that the project be completed and put to use in six months.
He explained that his administration decided to establish two new schools of nursing, one in southern Borno and another in Borno north, to address the healthcare needs of Borno’s increasing population.
“The Borno State Government has decided to establish two additional schools of nursing in the state, one in Gwoza and the other in Monguno. This bridges the manpower gap in the health sector, especially in terms of nursing services.
“You have seen the progress, and in sha Allah, this project will be completed in six months. We will ensure hostels are constructed and teachers recruited and, most importantly, enhance the capacity of the General Hospital, Gwoza, to provide a learning environment for the student nurses,” he said.
Before leaving for Maiduguri, Governor Zulum announced a plan to construct a new high Islamic college in Gwoza town that aims to streamline the formal and informal education sectors.
Zulum noted that by establishing the high Islamic college, the government intends to impart proper Islamic comprehension, thereby combating violent extremism among young people.
The governor visited the proposed site for the high Islamic College, which was donated to the Borno State Government by the late Alhaji Muhammad Lawan Buba.
Zulum distributes N250m to 25,000 widows, vulnerable women in Gwoza
FCE Gwoza: Zulum approves N200m, houses for take-off
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has approved N200 million and a housing estate for teachers as a take-off package for the newly established Federal College of Education, Gwoza.
Zulum announced this on Tuesday during an inspection visit to the temporary site of the college allocated to facilitate its take-off.
After approving the allocation of the site in July, 2023, the governor ordered the rehabilitation, which has now reached an advanced stage.
Zulum expressed appreciation for the quality of work at the proposed college site and urged the contractors to fast-track its completion to allow for take-off immediately.
Governor Zulum noted that the estate, which has about 12 units of 2-bedroom houses, was built to accommodate teachers as the college prepares for the first set of students’ admission this year.
Zulum has offered similar support for the take-off of Federal Polytechnic, Monguno with a N100 million grant and a temporary site for the commencement of academic activities.
Zulum had, in the past, extended support to federal government institutions providing the necessary services required for the people of Borno State.
While in Gwoza, Zulum paid homage to the emir, Alhaji Umar Shehu Idrissa Timta, at his palace.
Among many other issues, he discussed plans to resettle communities such as Bita, Hambagda, Wala, Yamteki, Modube, Ashigashiya and Guduf.
Zulum expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of the college in Gwoza Local Government Area that was devastated by Boko Haram insurgents.
FCE Gwoza: Zulum approves N200m, houses for take-off
Yobe Goes Spiritual On Insurgents Destroying Electricity Towers
By: Our Reporter
Yobe State government has launched a spiritual war against the Boko Haram insurgents destroying electricity towers which has cut Borno and Yobe states from the national grid for months now.
The towers are part of the Jos – Gombe grid serving Borno and Yobe states with electricity.
After repairing the 330 KVA towers crumbled last February by the insurgents near Kasaisa village, Gujba LGA, cutting the two sister states from electricity supply from the national grid, Governor Mai Mala Buni, on Wednesday, May 15 led a crowd of Muslim clerics in the recitation of the Holy Quran and prayers for God to punish the insurgents crumbling the towers.
The decision followed Governor Buni’s warning that after repairing the towers, he would lead the recitation of the Holy Quran and prayers against the criminals hellbent on denying the two states electricity from the national grid.
It could be recalled that the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) recently disclosed that the criminals, for the first time, crumbled the towers in December, 2023, and for the second time, in February, 2024, both of which were repaired by Yobe State government.
Leading Muslim clerics and students of the Holy Quran participated at Wednesday’s recitation and prayers session, where cows were sacrificed for Allah to expose and punish the insurgents crumbling the electricity towers.
The prayer session was for Allah to expose and punish the criminals, their sponsors, their supporters, those who help them with the tools used in the destruction of the towers, their transporters to the scene of the crime, whoever knows but refuses to expose them; buyers of the vandalized tower parts, and transformers thieves.
Yobe Goes Spiritual On Insurgents Destroying Electricity Towers
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