Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Bauchi, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to protect children’s rights, stressing that safeguarding must begin at birth and continue throughout a child’s life.
She made the call during a stakeholders roundtable and advocacy meeting on child rights protection, which brought together participants from Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe States.
Dr Rafique described child protection as a fundamental right, stressing that every child deserves legal identity, survival, proper development and protection from harm.
According to her, birth registration is the first crucial step in securing a child’s identity and ensuring access to essential services.
She also expressed concern over Nigeria’s high maternal and newborn mortality rates, noting that every mother has the right to safe delivery and the opportunity to raise a healthy child.
She highlighted the importance of routine immunisation and access to quality healthcare in reducing preventable deaths among children.
On nutrition, she advocated exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, describing it as key to strengthening immunity and supporting healthy growth.
However, she lamented the persistence of malnutrition, attributing it to poor knowledge of appropriate feeding practices despite the country’s food potential.
“Malnutrition remains a major contributor to deaths among children under-five,” she said.
Rafique raised alarm over the increasing cases of child abuse, including sexual violence, describing them as serious violations with long-term consequences.
She linked many of the challenges to low awareness among parents and caregivers.
She stressed that education is critical in promoting responsible parenting and building safer communities, adding that keeping children in school helps reduce cases of abuse and neglect.
The UNICEF official also urged journalists to play an active role in raising awareness and promoting positive behavioural change, describing the media as a vital partner in development.
She called on governments, traditional institutions and communities to strengthen coordination and take collective responsibility in protecting children’s rights.
“Protecting children is a shared responsibility. Everyone must act to ensure that every child grows in safety and dignity,” she added.
Dr Rafique expressed optimism that sustained collaboration would improve the wellbeing of children across the North-East and help them realise their full potentials.
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