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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
Support For Local Enterprise Catalyst For Sustainable Economy – VP Shettima
Lauds SecureID’s 20-year milestone in manufacturing, tech solutions
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has pledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to the health and survival of Nigerian enterprises, describing them as catalysts for a sustainable economic future.
He commended SecureID, the country’s leading smartcard manufacturing company, for its two decades of excellence in manufacturing and digital solutions.
Speaking on Monday during a tour of the SecureID Smartcard and Digital Solutions Facility in Lagos to mark its 20th anniversary, VP Shettima described the company as a shining example of Nigeria’s industrial and technological potential.
He praised the company’s evolution from a local startup to a continental leader in digital solutions, now capable of producing 200 million cards annually, including Nigerian international passports and voter identification cards.
He said, “This enterprise embodies the promise of what our nation can achieve when our innovative minds are given the support to compete with the rest of the world. From a humble local startup to a continental leader, SecureID has proven that with vision, dedication, and hard work, Nigerian businesses can stand tall on the global stage.”
Emphasizing that economic growth is inseparable from enterprise development, the Vice President noted that “time and again, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has demonstrated beyond words that the health and survival of our enterprises are the true catalysts of a vibrant economy.
“We can no longer afford to pay lip service to supporting businesses, regardless of their scale,” the VP stated, citing examples of government interventions designed to spur industrial expansion, including fiscal reforms and the Manufacturing Sector Fund, which encourages investment in key industries.
He maintained that the Tinubu administration has introduced strategic measures to bolster the nation’s economy, ensuring that enterprises like SecureID can thrive and drive national development.
“SecureID is proof that Nigeria is not just a consumer nation but a creator of world-class solutions. This is the standard we must uphold to transform our economy, create opportunities, and raise the living standards of millions of Nigerians,” the Vice President stated.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to fostering an environment where businesses can flourish, Senator Shettima assured that the administration is ready to help local industries fulfill their potential.
“We will continue to support enterprises by fostering an environment where innovation thrives and where every citizen has the opportunity to succeed,” he added.
Highpoint of the occasion was the tour of the company’s production facility by the Vice President, accompanied by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat and other dignitaries present at the event.
Also present were the Group Managing Director of SecureID Ltd, Kofo Akinkugbe and Chairman of the company, Mr Dotun Suleiman; the Managing Director of Bank of Industry, Olasupo Olusi; Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mr Kayode Opeifa; President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Otunba Francis Meshioye, and representatives of commercial banks, among others.
Support For Local Enterprise Catalyst For Sustainable Economy – VP Shettima
Yobe Honored with Multiple Awards at 46th Kaduna International Trade Fair
By: Our Reporter
Yobe State has been recognized for its outstanding contributions at the recently concluded 46th Kaduna International Trade Fair, themed “Promoting Efficiency in Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Trade through Digital Transformation.”
The Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, CON, was honored with multiple awards at the event, which showcased economic opportunities and investment prospects in the state.
Buni was represented at the ceremony by the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, Tourism, and Solid Minerals, Rt. Hon. Kaigama Umar.
Presenting the awards, the Chairman of the organizing committee and First Deputy President of the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), Alhaji Farouk Suleiman Farsman, commended Yobe State for its dedication and hard work.
He emphasized that the commitment demonstrated by the state’s participants and exhibitors contributed significantly to the success of the trade fair.
In recognition of these efforts, Yobe State received the Presidential Award, Commitment and Dedication Award as well as the Leadership Award.
Additionally, Potiskum Local Government of Yobe State was honored with the Best Exhibitor of Agricultural Products award.
The recognition clearly demonstrated Yobe State’s growing role in trade, agriculture, and investment, reinforcing its commitment to economic development and transformation.
Yobe Honored with Multiple Awards at 46th Kaduna International Trade Fair
Bandits Kill Four, Abduct Several in Zamfara Attacks
By: Zagazola Makama
At least four people have been killed, including two children, while several others were abducted in a series of attacks by suspected bandits across Zamfara State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the attacks, which occurred between Sunday night and Monday morning, February 24, 2025, targeted communities in Gusau and Bukuyyum local government areas.
In Shemori Village, Mada District, bandits kidnapped six women at about 8:30 p.m. on Sunday. Early Monday morning, another group of gunmen stormed Kairu Community in Zugu District, killing two residents and abducting an unspecified number of people.
Around the same time, bandits attacked Hayin Bajumi in Mada Town, Gusau LGA, where they set ablaze the house of one Aliyu Usman. The fire killed two of his children, five-year-old Ishaq Aliyu and two-year-old Jafar Aliyu.
The attackers also kidnapped Usman’s neighbor’s wife and her one-year-old baby before fleeing.
Bandits Kill Four, Abduct Several in Zamfara Attacks
Support For Local Enterprise Catalyst For Sustainable Economy – VP Shettima
Yobe Honored with Multiple Awards at 46th Kaduna International Trade Fair
Bandits Kill Four, Abduct Several in Zamfara Attacks
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