Bauchi First Lady Flags Off Training for Child Safeguarding Officers, Reaffirms Commitment to Safe Schools
By Ahmed Ahmed
The First Lady of Bauchi State and Chairperson of the Bauchi State Action Committee on Gender-Based Violence (BSACGBV), Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to protecting children from abuse as she flagged off a two-day training for Child Safeguarding in schools. She was represented at the event by Hajiya Aisha Baba-Tela.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the First Lady described the training as a significant step toward strengthening child protection systems across schools in Bauchi State.
She emphasized that every child deserves to grow in an environment of “safety, love, and dignity,” stressing that no child should be subjected to abuse, fear, or neglect.
She noted that the training aims to equip teachers and designated safeguarding officers with the skills to identify, manage, and report cases of abuse effectively.
According to her, child safeguarding goes beyond responding to incidents—its core purpose is prevention.“We are introducing Child Safeguarding Officers so that every child will have someone to trust, someone to listen, and someone who knows what to do,” she said.
“When children feel protected, they learn better, grow with confidence, and reach their full potential.
”The First Lady appreciated partners, ministries, and organizations working closely with BSACGBV to actualize the initiative, noting that collaboration remains key to protecting children and ending violence in schools.
In her goodwill message, the Project Coordinator of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) in Bauchi State, Hajiya Ladi Hamma, reaffirmed AGILE’s commitment to creating safe and inclusive learning spaces.
She highlighted that safeguarding is central to AGILE’s mission, embedded in school renovations, community sensitisation, staff training, and stakeholder engagement.
Hajiya Ladi reiterated AGILE’s zero-tolerance stance toward child abuse, outlining ongoing efforts to strengthen reporting mechanisms, raise awareness, and ensure that all schools supported by the project remain safe for both girls and boys.
She commended government agencies, traditional leaders, SBMCs, mothers’ associations, and development partners for their roles in championing child protection.
Both speakers urged participants to take the training seriously, stressing that the knowledge gained could save lives and secure the future of thousands of children across Bauchi State.
