The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has praised the Nigerian government for the successful rescue of 39 pupils and five teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the operation as a significant milestone in safeguarding children from conflict and violence.
The commendation came on Thursday when a UNICEF delegation, led by its Executive Director, Catherine Russell, paid a courtesy visit to the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, at the State House, Abuja. Politics
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.
In a statement issued by 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, abductions, whatever it is, children need to be protected in these situations”, Russell said.
The UNICEF chief 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.
“I think investing in women and children is an investment in the future of the nation”, Russell said, assuring that UNICEF would continue partnering with Nigeria to advance child welfare. Africans& Diaspora
She further applauded the First Lady’s role in promoting birth registration, which she said had contributed to registering about 14 million Nigerian children within two years.
According to her, the achievement resulted from sustained advocacy under the Renewed Hope Initiative and would strengthen efforts to secure children’s rights and future opportunities.
“I think as Nigeria continues to advance, this will be an important moment to invest in children, and I like to commend the leadership and RHI for birth registration,” she said.
“Birth registration is one of the most important because children are part of our priority to guarantee a great future”.
Russell also acknowledged Senator Tinubu’s advocacy against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), describing it as another significant contribution to protecting the rights and well-being of girls. Politics
Responding, the First Lady expressed delight over 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 complementary and supportive,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu stressed that meaningful national development depended on sustained investment in children, drawing from her background as an educationist. Politics
“I agree with you that children are very important in any country for the development of that country,” she said.
“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 an educational background in teaching, I have known that we have to invest in our children”, the First Lady said.
The First Lady acknowledged the challenges posed by insecurity and Nigeria’s growing population, noting that children in conflict-affected communities deserved special attention. Africans& Diaspora
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.
