GBV: Bauchi First Lady Launches School Safeguarding Officers to Protect Children from Abuse

From Paul Orude, Bauchi

Bauchi State Government has taken a major step toward strengthening child protection in schools with the official launch of Child Safeguarding Officers across the state.

The initiative was flagged off on Tuesday by the First Lady and Chairperson of the Bauchi State Action Committee on Gender-Based Violence (BSACGBV), Dr. Aisha Bala Mohammed.

Speaking at the event, the First Lady, who was represented by Hajia Aisha Baba Tela, wife of the former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, said the training marks a significant milestone in the state’s commitment to ensuring that every child learns in an environment free from abuse, fear, and neglect.

Dr Mohammed described the initiative as both timely and essential, noting that children are the future of the state and must be protected at all costs.

“No child should experience abuse, violence, fear, or neglect,” she said.

“As a mother and as the Chairperson of BSACGBV, I hold child protection very close to my heart. This training is aimed at equipping our teachers and school authorities with the right knowledge and skills to identify, manage, and report cases of abuse.”

She emphasised that the creation of Child Safeguarding Officers in schools will ensure that every child has someone to trust and responds swiftly when issues arise.

According to her, safeguarding is not only about responding to abuse but also preventing harm before it occurs.

The First Lady expressed gratitude to ministries, development partners, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders who collaborated with BSACGBV to make the training possible, saying the partnership demonstrates what can be achieved when people unite for a common purpose.

The training brings together teachers, school administrators, and designated officers who will serve as the first line of response in preventing and addressing child abuse in learning environments.

With the launch of the Child Safeguarding Officers programme, Bauchi State joins the growing number of states creating structured systems to protect children from violence in schools.

Dr Mohammed reaffirmed the state’s commitment to building safe spaces for every child, adding: “Together, we will continue to build a future where no child suffers in silence.”

In a goodwill message, the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, thanked the First Lady and BSACGBV for the initiative.

Represented by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Mohammed Barau, Officer in Charge of Operations, assured of the police command’s collaboration with BSACGBV and other stakeholders to protect children from all forms of abuse.

Also delivering a goodwill message, the Bauchi State Coordinator of Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, Hajia Ladi Hamman, reaffirmed its strong commitment to child protection, describing safeguarding as a core pillar of its mission to empower adolescent girls and promote safe learning environments.

Hamman noted that safeguarding is integrated into all AGILE activities to ensure that thousands of girls and boys benefit from safe, inclusive spaces built on dignity, trust, and respect.

She reiterated AGILE’s zero-tolerance stance on child abuse and outlined ongoing efforts such as strengthening reporting and response mechanisms, training staff and contractors on safeguarding standards, raising awareness among parents and teachers, and ensuring that all AGILE-supported schools uphold strict child protection measures.

“AGILE appreciated the collaboration of government agencies, school authorities, traditional leaders, mothers’ associations, School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs), and development partners who continue to champion child safety across the state.

The coordinator reaffirmed AGILE’s unwavering commitment to promoting the rights, safety, and wellbeing of every child, stressing that “safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.”