Children in North-East Nigeria face immense challenges, including recruitment and exploitation and violence by armed and criminal groups. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) collaborates with local community leaders and stakeholders to promote peace and reconciliation through its project “Protecting Children from Violence in Contexts of Insecurity, North-East Nigeria”.
UNODC brought together traditional rulers, women leaders, civil society representatives, media professionals and religious leaders from Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa (BAY) States to share their knowledge and experience of protecting children from violence in contexts of insecurity during a workshop held from 26 to 30 November 2024 in Abuja. UNODC trainers focused on equipping the participants with additional tools to use when leading grassroots peacebuilding, dialogue and conflict transformation initiatives within their communities.
UNODC Country Representative Cheikh Toure highlighted the coincidence of the event with 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and called on participants to amplify efforts to protect boys and girls and advocate for inclusion of children with disabilities.
“‘Protecting Children from Violence in Contexts of Insecurity, North-East Nigeria’ is born from the conviction that children are entitled to protection from recruitment and exploitation. This workshop is just the beginning, and I am eager to see the results as leaders apply these lessons in their communities,” Toure stated.
Participants expressed their commitment to do just that. Rajaab Mohammad, Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists in Yobe, acknowledged the subject matter’s significance and vowed to work with colleagues across the North-East to amplify its impact.
“As a journalist, I will say I have benefited greatly from these sessions. I promise to engage my counterparts in Borno and Adamawa to take this initiative forward and amplify its course as it relates to us and our children,” Rajaab stated.
Rev. Sebastian Ephesian, a religious leader from Adamawa state, emphasized the shared responsibility of nurturing and guiding children within the community.
He said "A child is the child of everybody. If we neglect our responsibilities to children at an early age, we risk creating a disastrous future…. Children are the future generation, and it is our duty to nurture and protect them as a collective community."
Fati Kachallah, a woman leader and a schoolteacher from Borno State pledged to advocate for the protection of children associated with armed and criminal groups and against the stigmatization of reintegrated children.
“This workshop has opened my eyes to the importance of protecting children in conflict settings. I will use my voice and resources to advocate for their safety and rights.”
The event was one of a series of events designed by UNODC to support community-driven approaches to peacebuilding and the promotion of child rights in North-East Nigeria.
For further information please contact:
UNDOC, ENDVAC, Nigeria:
Umar Mohammad Bakari | umar.bakari@un.org
UNODC, ENDVAC, Vienna, Austria
Mersiha Causevic Podzic | mersiha.causevicpodzic@un.org
