UNICEF pushes for stronger child protection, warns of rising abuse cases in Northeast

By Auwal Ahmad umar

The United Nations Children’s Fund has called for intensified efforts to safeguard children across Northeast Nigeria, raising concerns over increasing cases of abuse and neglect affecting vulnerable minors.

The appeal was made by Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of the organisation’s Bauchi Field Office, at a stakeholders’ roundtable on child rights advocacy covering Adamawa, Bauchi, and Gombe states.

Ms Rafique said child protection must be treated as a continuous responsibility, stressing that every child is entitled to safety, care, and dignity from birth.

She explained that a child’s rights begin with proper registration at birth, which she described as essential for recognition and access to basic services such as healthcare and education.

Beyond registration, she highlighted survival and health as critical priorities, noting that preventable deaths among mothers and newborns remain a challenge in Nigeria. According to her, improving access to quality healthcare and immunisation is key to ensuring children survive and thrive.

“Every child has the right to be protected from diseases that can be prevented,” she said, adding that gaps in immunisation continue to expose many children to avoidable illnesses.

On nutrition, Ms Rafique underscored the importance of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life, describing it as a vital step in strengthening a child’s immunity. She, however, expressed concern over widespread malnutrition in parts of the Northeast, attributing it largely to poor feeding practices and limited awareness among caregivers.

She noted that although Nigeria has abundant food resources, many families lack the knowledge required to provide balanced diets for children, a situation that contributes to high rates of under-five mortality.

Ms Rafique raised alarm over what she described as disturbing incidents of child abuse in the region, including cases involving very young children.

She said such violations have lasting physical and psychological consequences, stressing that children are often unable to defend themselves or speak out.

“Protection is not optional. When children are exposed to harm, it affects their entire future,” she said.

She added that survivors of abuse must have access to support services, including medical care and counselling, to help them recover and rebuild their lives.

The UNICEF official linked many of the challenges to a lack of awareness among parents and communities, noting that simple preventive measures could significantly reduce risks.

She cautioned against leaving young children unattended or sending them out alone, particularly at vulnerable hours, as this increases their exposure to danger.

According to her, better-informed parents are more likely to create safer environments for their children.

Ms Rafique identified education as a key tool in addressing long-term child protection challenges. She said ensuring that every child is in school would help build a generation that understands its rights and responsibilities.

“Education is the foundation for change. When children are educated, they grow into adults who can protect and nurture the next generation,” she said.

She urged governments, communities, and stakeholders to strengthen systems that protect children and ensure their rights to safety, health, and development are upheld.

The roundtable forms part of ongoing efforts by UNICEF to promote awareness and drive coordinated action to improve child welfare across the region.

150 Gombe Youth, Women Leaders Trained to Combat Gender-Based Violence

By Danjuma Attah

No fewer than 150 youth and women leaders in Gombe State have been equipped with practical skills to identify, prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV), as part of a grassroots empowerment drive by the Foundation for Community Empowerment Initiative (FOCEI) in partnership with Women Aid Collective (WACOL).

The initiative, which aims to train 200 community influencers over a two-year period, is designed to strengthen local capacity in tackling GBV, particularly in vulnerable communities. The latest session, held over two days, brought together 50 participants as part of the third-quarter training cycle.

Speaking during the program, FOCEI Team Lead, Dr. Benjamin Maina, described GBV as a widespread violation of human rights that continues to affect individuals and families across Nigeria. He stressed the urgency of collective action to confront what he called a “silent crisis” undermining communities.

According to him, the training is focused on empowering participants with the knowledge to recognize abuse, respond appropriately, and guide survivors through established support systems. He also urged participants to encourage victims to speak out, noting that breaking the culture of silence remains key to addressing the problem.

In her presentation, Dr Leah Iliya Jalo of Gombe State University explained the various forms and contexts of GBV, including its occurrence within religious settings. She challenged participants to use their new knowledge to promote awareness and support victims, describing them as “agents of change” in their communities.

Also speaking, Reverend Apollos Hassan of ECWA Goodnews Church highlighted the role of faith-based institutions in addressing GBV. He cautioned against the misuse of religious teachings to justify abuse and called on clerics to work closely with legal authorities and professionals in handling such cases. He reiterated that the Church must maintain zero tolerance for all forms of violence.

Barrister Mwalin Naomi Abdu, who spoke on legal frameworks and response pathways, noted that GBV remains deeply rooted in many communities. However, she commended the establishment of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) at the State Specialist Hospital, describing it as a critical intervention providing support and justice for survivors.

She emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure victims received timely care and legal redress.

Other facilitators, including Mrs Amina Jafun and Miss Martha Audu Kudi, encouraged participants to take ownership of the fight against GBV, urging them to become advocates for change within their localities.

Participants expressed appreciation for the training, describing it as eye-opening and transformative. Some shared personal experiences, noting that the knowledge gained would have helped them better respond to past situations involving abuse.

The project, supported by WACOL, is currently being implemented in Liji and Zambuk communities of Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area, with a focus on empowering women and community leaders to prevent and respond effectively to GBV through strengthened grassroots structures.

AI Boom, Training Bust: Only 10% of Nigerian Journalists Skilled in Emerging Tools – SMI

By Auwal Ahmad

A new industry insight has revealed a widening gap between the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence and the capacity of Nigerian journalists to use the technology responsibly, with just a fraction of newsroom professionals receiving formal training.

This was disclosed in Abuja on Thursday by Peter Iorter, Executive Director of the Safer Media Initiative (SMI), during a capacity-building session for media practitioners focused on the ethical and effective deployment of AI tools.

The workshop, themed “AI Tools for Journalists: Effective, Responsible and Safe Use”, is part of SMI’s broader Artificial Intelligence and Media (AIM) Project, designed to equip journalists with the competencies required in a fast-evolving digital landscape.

According to Iorter, recent findings indicate that while an overwhelming majority of journalists already rely on AI in their daily work, only about 10 per cent have undergone structured training on its application.

He warned that the mismatch between usage and knowledge poses serious risks to journalism, particularly in areas such as accuracy, accountability, and professional ethics.

“Artificial intelligence is reshaping the global media ecosystem at a rapid pace. While it offers immense opportunities, it must be approached with caution and guided by ethical standards,” he said.

Iorter stressed that the absence of adequate training could lead to misuse of AI tools, potentially eroding public trust in the media if not urgently addressed through institutional policies and capacity development.

He explained that the Abuja training aims to close this knowledge gap by equipping journalists with practical skills to use AI responsibly, without compromising editorial integrity.

“Our goal is to ensure Nigerian journalists are not only keeping up with global trends but are also using these tools in a way that upholds the credibility of the profession,” he added.

The initiative, he noted, is being supported by UNESCO under its International Programme for the Development of Communication, with a key objective of developing newsroom guidelines for AI usage.

Iorter pointed out that many media organisations currently lack clear policies governing the integration of AI into editorial processes, making it imperative to establish standards that balance innovation with responsibility.

Also speaking at the session, Titilope Oparinde, a facilitator and founder of Generative AI Journalism, encouraged journalists to embrace AI as a supportive tool rather than a threat.

She noted that while AI can enhance productivity—through functions such as transcription, translation and content summarisation—it cannot replace human judgement, editorial discretion or ethical reasoning.

“Journalists who understand how to use AI will remain relevant. Those who ignore it risk being left behind,” she said, urging continuous learning within the profession.

In his contribution, Oluseyi Olufemi, Country Director of Dataphyte, underscored the importance of verifying information generated with AI tools.

He advised journalists to maintain their role as custodians of truth by rigorously fact-checking all AI-assisted outputs before publication.

Olufemi also highlighted the dual role of AI in both combating misinformation and introducing new digital safety concerns, including vulnerabilities that may disproportionately affect women and other groups.

The training forms part of ongoing efforts to promote responsible AI adoption and strengthen digital safety practices across newsrooms in Nigeria, as the media industry continues to navigate the intersection of technology and journalism.