Girls Are Leaders Shaping Better Future – UNICEF

Published

1 month ago

October 11, 2025

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Bauchi Field Office, says girls are not just survivors of adversity, but are leaders shaping a better future.

Mr Raphael Aiyedipe, the Education Officer, UNICEF Nigeria, Bauchi Field Office, stated this in Bauchi on Saturday during the commemoration of the 2025 International Day of the Girls.

According to him, across the globe, girls are rising, leading movements, challenging norms, innovating in science and technology, excelling in classrooms, and building communities.

Aiyedipe, however, said that yet, millions of girls still face barriers-violence, child marriage, lack of education, and mental health challenges.

He added that the facts were sobering, but the solutions were within reach.

“Today, we gather not just to commemorate, but to commit to amplify the voices of girls, to champion their rights, and to invest in their futures.

“This day is a call to action; a reminder that every girl deserves the freedom to dream; the tools to thrive; and the power to lead.

“It is a moment to listen to girls; to learn from them; and to stand beside them as allies and advocates, ” he said.

According to him, together let us amplify girls’ voices; support their leadership; and commit to creating safe, inclusive spaces where they can thrive.

“Together, we stand with girls because when girls lead, the world moves forward.

“When we invest in girls, we invest in stronger communities and brighter economies,” he said.

In her paper presentation entitled: ‘Breaking Barriers in Education: Why every Girl belongs in education”, Prof. Doris Boryo, advocated for the girl child education in the country.

Boryo, who is the Dean, Post Graduate Studies, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi, said when a girl was educated, it increases her involvement in political processes.

According to her, educated women were more likely to participate in political discussions, meetings and decision making.

These, she said, promote a more representative and effective government, safe sex education and infant mortality.

“If women all over the world had a secondary education, child deaths would be cut in half, saving millions of lives and it will decrease the level of child marriage.

“It also strengthens economies and advances the fight to end poverty.

“When women of a country are learned and educated, the whole economy develops and flourishes,” she said.

The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi state, Sani Omolori-Aliyu said the safety, dignity and rights of a girl child were protected by international convention on the rights of the girl child.

Represented by ASP Ladi Hycynth, the commissioner said that the convention also granted the girls right to survival, development, education, freedom from harm and exploitation.

Tinubu Orders Defence Minister To Relocate To Kebbi State Over Abduction Of 25 School Girls

Published

5 hours ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State over the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.

Matawalle, who was formerly governor of Zamfara State, was asked to remain in the state to monitor security efforts to secure the release of the abducted students.

Gunmen abducted 24 students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Kebbi State, around 4am on Monday.

Matawalle, who is expected to arrive in Birni-Kebbi on Friday, gained some experience in dealing with banditry and mass kidnapping during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023.

On 26 February 2021, armed bandits abducted 279 female students aged between 10 and 17 at the Government Girls Science Secondary School, a boarding school in Jangebe, in Zamfara State. The bandits released all the hostages on 2 March 2021.

President Tinubu had postponed his scheduled trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, as he awaited further security briefings on the kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls and the attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.

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Nigeria Now Deadliest Place On Earth To Be Christian – Nigerian Bishop Laments

Published

5 hours ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Benue State, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, says Nigeria has become the deadliest place on earth to be a Christian.

Bishop Anagbe made this statement on Thursday while testifying before the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, which is investigating Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’, CPC

Speaking before the US Congress, the Bishop said that the controversy escalated after President Trump designated Nigeria on the CPC list on 31 October 2025.

He alleged systematic persecution of Christians in the country, saying “Attacks by Fulani militants and Boko Haram have intensified, targeting Christian communities with impunity.

“More believers are killed there annually than in the rest of the world combined, yet perpetrators face little accountability.

“Violence is spreading, displacing millions and destroying farmland, creating a humanitarian crisis worsened by food insecurity. Without urgent intervention, Christianity risks being wiped out in Northern and Middle Belt Nigeria.

“Nigeria, already designated a Country of Particular Concern, must now be met with decisive action,” he said.

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Christian Genocide: Back Nigeria CPC Redesignation With Action, Nigerian Bishop Begs Trump

Published

6 hours ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, in Benue State, Wilfred Anagbe, has appealed to President Donald Trump of the United States to match its renewed designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, CPC, with concrete action.

Bishop Anagbe made this call on Thursday, while testifying before the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, which is investigating Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a CPC

He said, “On behalf of millions of Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora, we want to thank President Donald Trump for his bold leadership in designating Nigeria as a CPC. I commend you and this subcommittee for ongoing efforts on this matter.

“It is a vital step, but must be backed by serious action. One, use the Magnitsky Act for targeted sanctions against Nigerian government officials and others tolerating or condoning Islamic violence in the country.”

The cleric also called on lawmakers to tie security and humanitarian aid to measurable improvements.

“Expand humanitarian support for IDPs. The IDPs must return to their ancestral homes, and this requires security guarantees from the Nigerian Government,” he said.

Bishop Anagbe told lawmakers that many Christian victims in Benue remain traumatised, adding that one priest he knows cannot walk after surviving a terrorist attack.

‘Deborah Samuel’s murderers remain free’ – US defends designation of Nigeria as CPC
He accused the federal government of downplaying casualty figures and abandoning survivors of repeated assaults.”

Anagbe also argued that President Donald Trump’s earlier CPC designation “aimed to stabilise Nigeria” but “worsened the safety of Christians.”