BY MUSA IDRIS UMAR,
The Borno State government has lauded the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for its impactful child protection initiatives in the state, as the initiative continues its significance in safeguarding vulnerable children in conflict-affected areas.
According to key stakeholders in the Borno state government, the "Protecting Children from Violence in North-East Nigeria" project, a flagship initiative by UNODC, has been instrumental in addressing the pressing challenges faced by children in the region.
Speaking on the initiative, Salamatu Idris, Director of Public Prosecutions for the Borno State Ministry of Justice, praised the alignment between the UNODC program and the state's child protection agenda.
"UNODC and Borno State share a common vision to strengthen child protection systems, which includes establishing child protection units and providing training for law enforcement and social workers," Salamatu said.
She further noted that the UNODC program focuses on not just empowering children, families, and communities but also recognizes the efforts of the state government in fostering protection and preventing violence perpetuated against children.
"The UNODC project has made significant contributions, including enhancing child protection frameworks, empowering youth through the Network of Youth Peace Champions, and providing capacity-building programs for stakeholders," she added.
Additionally, The UNODC’s advocacy efforts to raise awareness about child protection issues and promoting the implementation of the Child Protection Law in Borno State were also commended as achievements of the initiative.
However, in a related development, the Borno state Network of Civil Society Organizations in Borno State has called for further support to amplify the program’s impact.
Bulama Abiso, Executive Director of the Network, acknowledged the program's positive contributions and emphasized the need for enhanced capacity building, funding, and institutional strengthening for grassroots organizations, stressing that the importance of sustained partnerships to address the complex challenges facing children in conflict zones cannot be over emphasized.
"Collaboration between UNODC, donor partners, and CSOs is crucial to reinforce humanitarian development and peace in the state," Abiso said
The collective commendation by the Borno State government and the constructive feedback from CSOs underscore the importance of continued efforts and collaboration to ensure a brighter, safer future for children in the region.