By Atiku Galadima, Maiduguri
A 16-year-old blind student of Maiduguri Special School, Precious Joseph, on Tuesday was sworn in as Borno State Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Development for one day, as part of activities marking the 2025 World Children’s Day.
The symbolic handover took place at the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in Maiduguri, where the substantive commissioner, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, ceded her seat to the teenager.
Speaking at the event, Officer-in-Charge and UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Joseph Senesie, said Precious, who aspires to become a journalist, had prioritised ending street begging and ensuring children living with disabilities are enrolled in school during her symbolic tenure.
Senesie described the day as significant for children in Borno and across the Northeast, and congratulated the children present while commending Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo for giving children a platform to learn and be heard.
He said the experience demonstrated that children can aspire to any position and would remain valuable not only to Precious but to other children.
The theme for this year’s commemoration, “My Day, My Rights,” underscores the importance of children understanding that their dreams and rights are achievable.
Senesie also highlighted that every child has the right to play, education, life, health, and protection from harm, and assured that UNICEF would continue to work with government to uphold these rights as provided in the Nigerian Constitution and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.