– hails Fed Govt on rescue of Oyo pupils
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF),has said that
conflict is one of the most difficult situations for children, whether it is displacement, conflict, violence, abduction.
UNICEF also commended the Federal Government for the successful rescue of 39 pupils and five teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
UNICEF delegation, led by its Executive Director, Catherine Russell, gave the commendation during a visit to the First Lady Oluremi Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.
The global organization described the operation as a critical step in protecting children affected by conflict and violence.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Media, Busola Kukoyi, the UNICEF boss said: “We thank the leadership for rescuing children in conflict.
“What I see in my travels around the world is that conflict is one of the most difficult situations for children, whether it is displacement, conflict, violence, abduction. Whatever it is, children need to be protected in these situations.”
Russell praised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for securing the release of the victims, noting that children caught in conflict situations required urgent protection and support.
Russell also commended the First Lady for placing women and children at the centre of her interventions through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), describing investments in children as investments in the future of any nation.
Responding, the First Lady expressed delight about the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers, thanking UNICEF for standing with Nigeria during difficult moments.
“We are used to UNICEF coming to partner with our office in the way of advocacy because we know we have ministries and the work of the First Lady is for complementary and support,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu stressed that meaningful national development depended on sustained investment in children, drawing from her background as an educationist.
“When you have children and they are not well invested in, no matter how wealthy that country is, they will not be able to make substantial growth.
“That is why, for me, with education background in teaching, I have known that we have to invest in our children,” the First Lady said.
She acknowledged the challenges posed by insecurity and Nigeria’s growing population, noting that children in conflict-affected communities deserved special attention.
She also identified the growing number of out-of-school children, particularly ‘Almajiri’ pupils, as a major concern, disclosing that the government was working towards integrating them into formal education through specialised schools alongside vocational and skills acquisition programmes.
Other members of the UNICEF delegation included the Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef; Chief of Staff, Ted Mary; Senior Adviser on Communications, Marlene Jensen; Head of Project, Marline Serrano; and Executive Specialist, Nabila Jamshed.