UN POLAC Director Calls for Urgent Action to Safeguard Nigerian Children
The Director for Women and Children at the United Nations POLAC, Amb. Prof. Cynthia Amaka Obiorah, has issued a strong call to Nigerian leaders and citizens to move beyond mere rhetoric and take decisive steps to protect the nation's children. She warned that millions of young Nigerians continue to endure hunger, abuse, displacement, and limited access to education.
In her 2026 Children's Day message, Prof. Obiorah highlighted the severe hardships many children face, including girls being forced out of school, children displaced by conflict, and minors struggling to survive on the streets. She emphasized that no Nigerian child should be denied basic rights such as safety, healthcare, education, and dignity.
The founder of the Hope Aglow Charity Foundation described Nigerian children as brilliant, resilient, and full of dreams, despite the increasing social and economic challenges confronting families nationwide. She stressed the urgent need for collaboration among government, parents, faith leaders, civil society organizations, and traditional institutions to secure a better future for the younger generation.
Prof. Obiorah expressed optimism about Nigeria's future, noting that hope remains alive in children who continue to pursue their ambitions despite adversity. She pointed out that many young Nigerians are already leveraging technology, creativity, and innovation to develop solutions for their communities and shape a better nation.
She reaffirmed that the United Nations POLAC, through its Directorate for Women and Children, will persist in advocating for the protection and empowerment of children across the country. She also called for increased investment in schools, child protection laws, healthcare, and nutrition, insisting that when we lift the child, we lift Nigeria.
