The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has applauded the Federal 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 step towards safeguarding children affected by violence and insecurity.
The commendation was made on Thursday during a courtesy visit by a UNICEF delegation, led by its Executive Director, Catherine Russell, to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the State House in Abuja.
Russell praised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for securing the release of the victims, stressing that children caught in conflict situations require urgent protection and sustained support.
According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Media, Busola Kukoyi, Russell thanked the Nigerian government for prioritising the safety of children.
She noted that children remain among the most vulnerable victims of conflicts worldwide, facing displacement, violence, abduction and other threats that demand coordinated intervention.
The UNICEF Executive Director 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.
Russell further praised Senator Tinubu’s advocacy for birth registration, revealing that about 14 million Nigerian children had been registered over the past two years through sustained campaigns.
She said the initiative would strengthen the protection of children’s rights and improve their access to future opportunities and essential services.
The UNICEF chief also lauded the First Lady’s campaign against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), describing it as a vital contribution to protecting the rights, dignity and well-being of girls across Nigeria.
Responding, the First Lady expressed gratitude to UNICEF for its continued partnership with Nigeria and welcomed the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers.
She noted that the Office of the First Lady complements government ministries through advocacy and programmes aimed at improving the lives of women and children.
Mrs Tinubu emphasised that no nation could achieve sustainable development without investing in its children, drawing from her background as an educationist.
She added that insecurity and Nigeria’s rapidly growing population have increased the need to prioritise children, especially those living in conflict-affected communities.
The First Lady also identified the growing number of out-of-school children, particularly Almajiri pupils, as a major challenge, disclosing that the government is working to integrate them into formal education through specialised schools, vocational training and skills acquisition programmes.
Members of the UNICEF delegation included 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.