By Atiku Galadima, Maiduguri
The Borno State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have reaffirmed their commitment to promoting and protecting children from abuse, exploitation and neglect in a state that has endured more than a decade of Boko Haram insurgency, leaving many children traumatised, particularly in conflict-affected local government areas.
Borno Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, stated this in Maiduguri on Thursday during the commemoration of World Children’s Day.
She noted that while the state had recorded progress in addressing child protection concerns, more effort was still required to guarantee the safety and wellbeing of every child.
Gambo said the occasion offered an opportunity to reflect on collective promises to the younger generation and to re-examine society’s commitment to their rights.
According to her, “The Government of Borno State, led by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, is committed to ensuring the rights of every child are recognised, implemented and protected. This led to the domestication of the Child Protection Law, and the state is working towards its full implementation, including strengthening social protection systems and ensuring swift justice for child rights violations.”
Gambo represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mohammed Hamza, acknowledged the contribution of partners, saying the government recognises the support of UNICEF and other humanitarian agencies in improving child health, education and protection across the state.
In his remarks, the UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Joseph Senesie, reaffirmed the organisation’s dedication to children, saying: “Let’s create a Nigeria where every child is safe, healthy and educated.”
He said the Borno government had provided 33 schools and health centres with basic water, sanitation and hygiene services. He added that every child’s voice and future mattered, especially in a region where many still contend with the impact of conflict.
“Today, being World Children’s Day, UNICEF celebrates the incredible potential of every child in Northeast Nigeria. We recognise their rights, their dreams and their future,” he said.
Senesie explained that this year’s theme, My Day, My Rights, was a call to action to ensure children’s rights to life, survival, protection from harm, education, health and development were upheld.
He expressed satisfaction with the presence of government officials, security agencies, the media and community leaders at the event, saying their involvement was vital to advancing children’s rights. He urged all stakeholders to invest in the fulfilment of these rights within their various roles.
While acknowledging ongoing interventions, Senesie warned that children in the Northeast still faced serious risks, including malnutrition, being out of school, gender-based violence and other protection concerns. He commended existing efforts but called for more decisive action, stressing that safeguarding children today was essential to securing the region’s future.
He said UNICEF would continue to work with government, partners, donors and communities to ensure every child in the region survives, thrives and reaches their potential.
“We must continue to collaborate and support the most vulnerable, including those affected by conflict, displacement and poverty in our communities. For UNICEF, this is not a wish; it is a pledge and a daily commitment to give the most disadvantaged children a chance to survive and thrive,” he added.
Senesie disclosed that in 2025, UNICEF supported more than 250,000 children in Borno State to access formal and non-formal basic education services. Nearly 1.2 million children aged six to 59 months also received two annual doses of Vitamin A supplementation that year.
He further noted that 86,000 women, girls and boys benefited from gender-based violence risk mitigation, prevention and response interventions in the state.
The commemoration event was a collaborative effort between UNICEF and Unique Care and Support Foundation (CASFOD), bringing together stakeholders to discuss and reaffirm their commitment to protecting the rights of children in Borno State.