By Danjuma Attah, Gombe
The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) office in Nigeria has called for urgent action towards the protection of children in the country under international law.
It said, authorities in Nigeria must, as a matter of urgency, ensure the implementation of the law which protects students, educational facilities and their personnel from any form of attack.
In 2015, the Nigerian Government endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration, which outlines concrete steps to safeguard the civilian nature of schools and universities to ensure safe access of students to education during conflict.
However, due to the porose learning environment in most Nigerian schools, resulting in consistent attacks and abductions of children, UNICEF has therefore called on all relevant stakeholders to continue efforts to implement the Safe Schools Declaration in Nigeria.
In a press statement from it’s Abuja office obtained by our Correspondent in Gombe, UNICEF’s Communication Specialist, Susan Akila, said those responsible for any attack on children must be held to account in accordance with national and interact standards.
The UNICEF statement strongly condemned the recent attack on a Government Girls School in the Maga community of Kebbi State, in Northwest Nigeria, which resulted in the death of the school’s Vice-Principal and the reported abduction of 25 students.
It described the tragic incident as another stark reminder of the urgent need to protect children, schools and the personnel they rely upon to learn safely.
“We stand with the affected community at this difficult time, our heartfelt condolences go to those who have lost their loved ones, and we wish a full recovery for those injured”, the statement pointed out.
While calling for the swift release of the abducted children, UNICEF emphasized that, “No child should be put at risk while pursuing an education.
“UNICEF is working with Government partners, civil society and communities to strengthen child protection systems and promote safe and inclusive learning environments across the country.
“These systems and environments must be reinforced to prevent future tragedies”, it maintained.
End.
