Bauchi First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed on Wednesday, played host to children selected from public schools within the state capital at the Government House to celebrate the 2024 World Children’s Day.
The event was organised by the Bauchi Field Office of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
During the celebration held inside the Conference Hall of the Office of the First Lady, the Children made different presentations calling the attention of Government to their plights even as they strive to be good children and academically sound
They specifically advocated for a safe spaces, conducive school environment, free Medicare and transportation services to and from school and most importantly, improved learning aids to enhance their educational pursuits.
The children took turn to make submissions to the First Lady decrying in strong terms, the persistent bullying and corporal punishments in schools that tend to make school environment hostile leading to some of the students dropping out of school thereby increasing the number of out-of-school children in the state.
The children further advocated for adequate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities like toilets in the schools to make the environment friendly stressing that the WASH facilities should be clearly marked for boys and girls.
Another major request put forward by the Children to the Bauchi State First Lady was the need to make available, free transportation system for school children in the State among other requests.
They stressed in their various presentations that, the First Lady as a mother, should carefully look into their various demands and do the needful in a short period.
While introducing the 2024 World Children’s Day, , the Communication, Advocacy and Partnership Officer of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Opeyemi Olagunju appreciated the First Lady for her numerous initiatives that has continued to impact positively in the lives of Women and Children in Bauchi State.
He said that the WCD was set aside globally to bring attention to the rights of the child and also afford the children the opportunity to sit with policy makers and other people of influence to table their needs.
Opeyemi Olagunju stated that UNICEF is only giving support to the Government in ensuring the well-being of women and children in all respects particularly health and education which have several components.
While responding to the children, Aisha Bala Mohammed thanked the Children for the visit and assured them that her NGO, Almuhibbah Foundation has been on the vanguard of championing not only children education but also adult education.
With regards to the children’s request on safe school environment, the First Lady said that the State Action Committee of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) which she is chairing, is working, in collaboration with PTAs and SBMCS towards addressing the issue of bullying in schools.
On the other requests of the Children, the First Lady said that she would do everything possible within her powers to table their concerns to right quarters.
“It gives me great pleasure to be here today to celebrate this important day, World Children’s Day.The theme for the 2024 World Children’s Day, which “calls on adults to listen to the future” came at a right time considering the rate of violation of children’s right.
“As we all know, children are the leaders of tomorrow hence the need to protect their right by given them sound education, take care of their health and provide conducive environment for them to achieved their potentials because any shot of these can have devastating effect on the communities and by extension to National Development.”
“In my capacity as the Bauchi State First Lady, the Initiator of Almuhibba Foundation and Chancellor, Almuhibba Open University, we have been trying to come up with various programmes aimed at improving the lives of children in both urban and rural areas.”
“To this end, a committee on Gender Based Violence was constituted and chaired by myself. The committee has been working towards protecting children from sexual harassment, domestic violence and other related gender-based violence, the committee also provide psychosocial supports to victims/survivors of gender- based violence,”
“I will use this forum to call on parents and caregivers not to relent in providing enough protection to their children and wards and ensure they receive sound education for our community to be bright and prosperous in the future,” she added.
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