By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Bauchi Children – Nov. 21, 2025
Children in Bauchi on Thursday engaged policymakers directly as UNICEF Nigeria, Bauchi Field Office, in collaboration with state MDAs, marked the 2025 World Children’s Day with an interactive forum themed “My Day, My Rights.”
The platform brought together government officials, community leaders, civil society organisations and the media, giving children an opportunity to voice their concerns and push for improved welfare.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique—represented by Oluseyi Olosunde—said World Children’s Day commemorates the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. She described children’s rights as non-negotiable human rights and urged the media to consistently highlight issues affecting children, not only during commemorations.
The children presented a charter of demands, calling for safer schools, improved WASH facilities, modern learning equipment and stronger infrastructure. They also urged the government to enhance nutrition services, quality healthcare and social protection measures to support their development.
Officials from the State Ministry of Justice and the Nigeria Bar Association, Bauchi Chapter, held sessions educating the children on their legal rights and the protections available to them under the law.
In their remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Muhammad Lawan Riminzayan, and the ALGON State Chairman, Mahmood Babama’aji, commended UNICEF for creating a platform for children’s voices to be heard. They pledged renewed collaboration to strengthen child welfare programmes across the state.
Support real journalism.
✅ Prioritize credible sources
🔍 Fact-check what you read
💸 Donate to outlets that value truth, independence & fairness
Journalism matters—help it thrive. #NEWSPOINTER Fact checker#
They also acknowledged the support of Governor Bala Mohammed and the First Lady for continued investment in programmes targeting children, women and vulnerable groups.
World Children’s Day, celebrated annually on November 20, again reinforced the need for stakeholders to prioritise the rights and wellbeing of every child.
