UNICEF Urges Kebbi Govt To Establish Family Court To Resolve Issues Of Child Abuse, Children’s Welfare

From Ayodele Ajoge, Birnin-Kebbi

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged the Kebbi State government to create Family Courts as it declared it’s readiness to support the establishment of the Family Court  to hasten justice at the rural areas and adequate children data to ensure proper planning for children across Kebbi state. 

Mr. Michael Jumia, the Chief Field Officer for Sokoto Office of UNICEF stated this during the 2025 end of year review meeting in collaboration with the Ministry of Budget and Economy Planning in Birnin Kebbi.

Juma explained that he had discussed the creation of family Court with the Kebbi State Commissioner of Justice to take the necessary step on the establishment of the Court that would be saddle with the issues related to Child abuse and children’s welfare.

“The establishment of Family Court,of course, I have talked to the Commissioner of Justice on this and I have  said that it something the UNICEF will support. Because it is what the UNICEF is supporting globally because it is a way to  ensure quick justice at the rural levels”. 

While speaking on adequate data for  children, the UNICEF boss noted that the correct information on the children population would enable the government, teachers, to have correct figures for planning especially on adequate budgeting for their needs.

He commended the Kebbi State Government for passing the Child Protection Bill at the Kebbi State House of Assembly, stressed that it would help alot to free some children in detentions, lessen the rigorous trials being face by the Children and assist them to be re-integrated into the larger society. 

Juma who declared the readiness of UNICEF to continue to collaborate the Kebbi State on poverty survey, social protection and nutrition intervention, lauded the state government for the released of N500 million counterpart funding for nutrition programmes. 

He,however , suggested that there was need to address the issue of our of school children, cholera outbreak as well coming out with road map on WASH programme to ensure other LGAs join Arewa and Mayama Councils Areas on the fight against open defecations.

Different departments presented their 2025 reviews on nutrition, social policy, social and behavioral change, education and WASH among others.