Don’t Misuse your Rights, Become Purposeful in life, UNICEF Advises Students at World Children’s Day
By Abbas Usman, Bauchi
As Bauchi joins the Global Community to celebrates World Children’s Day, Bauchi students at Hazibal Hotel on Thursday challenged leaders on issues of nutrition, health, and education, declaring that “education is not a privilege nor a favour but a right”.
The students emphasized that education is a fundamental right and the key to their future.
They therefore called for a conducive environment and safe learning spaces to enable them become purposeful and responsible adults and contribute meaningfully to national development.
The call was made during debates and paper presentations at World Children’s Day gathering organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) .
Speakers at the event emphasized the need for a secured environment, quality education, experienced and qualified teachers, as well as adequate food especially for pupils in border communities.
Other demands included the right to proper treatment, the right to personal identity, the right to protection from harmful traditional practices or abuse, and the right to move freely without fear of attack from individuals or groups.
In his presentation, at the World Children’s Day, the Chairman of Bauchi Local Government Area, who also serving as ALGON chairman, Hon. Mahmood Baba Maji urged students to pursue quality education and uphold good conduct and character to become the leaders of tomorrow.
He said ALGON in Bauchi remains committed to supporting UNICEF to achieve greater results. He disclosed that the 20 LGA’s had contributed ₦100 million to support child nutrition in the 2025 budget.
The chairman revealed that committees have been set up to address school dropout rates, improve child nutrition, promote exclusive breastfeeding, and ensure every child in the state has a registered birth.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Mohammed Lawal Rimi Zayan, reassured that the state government is aware of children’s rights and is working tirelessly to protect them and ensure every child reaches their full potential and purposeful leaders of tomorrow.
UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Bauchi, Nuzrat Rafique represented by Health Officer Oluseyi Olosunde said the agency, in collaboration with ALGON, has strengthened the Child Nutrition Fund in Bauchi. Through this, Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Supplements have been procured to treat malnutrition in the state.
He added that community gardens have been established to grow nutritious foods and support families in reducing malnutrition.
He advised students not to misuse their rights but to remain determined to become great individuals in the future.
The representatives of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, alongside the Managing Director of Bauchi Radio Corporation (BRC), Barr. Maimuna Ibrahim and Alhaji Haruna, charged the students to be good ambassadors and extend to their communities what they have learned on the rights of children and say something to people that will come to your aid.
They also commended UNICEF for collaborating with journalists in all its activities which is yielding positive results and urged the journalists to engage in serious campaign on the rights of children.
