Nigerian Children In Peril, NGE President Warns At UNICEF World Children’s Day Event
THE President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Eze Anaba has raised an alarming call for urgent national action on the deteriorating condition of Nigerian children, declaring that the nation is in a “state of emergency” as insecurity, poverty, and systemic neglect continue to endanger millions.
Speaking at the UNICEF–NGE–DAME World Children’s Day event held on Tuesday at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, Anaba lamented that Nigeria has not faced such uncertainty for its young population since the civil war era, describing the present moment as one of the most dangerous periods for children in the country’s history.
According to him, the recent declaration of the highest level of security alert by the Federal Government is a painful reminder that “these are not normal times,” especially as children remain the most frequent victims of abductions, violence, displacement, and trauma across conflict-prone regions.
Anaba noted that children now bear the harshest brunt of rising insecurity, with schools—traditionally safe spaces— increasingly becoming “theatres of war.” Nigeria’s future, he warned, is at risk as half of the country’s 220 million population are children.
“Millions are out of school, millions of girls are trapped by cultural and economic barriers, millions under one year lack essential vaccinations, and countless others are victims of violence, abuse, child labour, and early marriage,” he said.
“These are not mere statistics. They are the lived experiences of children whose dreams—and our country’s future—are being derailed.”
Calling on the media to rise beyond routine reporting, the NGE President said journalists have a constitutional obligation to advocate for children through evidence-based, solutions-driven, and investigative journalism.
“The media is not a passive observer. We must amplify the voices of the voiceless, spotlight systemic failures, and celebrate community-driven solutions that show a path forward,” he said.
Anaba urged reporters and editors to strengthen their collaboration with UNICEF to enhance data accuracy, improve reportage, and push for policies that better protect Nigerian children.
He praised civil society organizations (CSOs) as crucial actors embedded in communities where the challenges are most acute.
“CSOs must continue to generate community-driven solutions, provide child-protection services, engage families, and hold institutions accountable,” he said, adding that the media must amplify such grassroots insights to influence national policy.
Anaba commended UNICEF for its decades-long commitment to child development in Nigeria, describing the organisation as a reliable partner in providing data, training, and global best practices for journalists.
“With UNICEF’s leadership, the media has the evidence needed to tell the stories that matter,” he said.
While acknowledging the roles of the media and civil society, Anaba emphasized that the primary responsibility rests on the government.
He called on authorities at all levels to secure schools and communities, enforce child-protection laws, invest significantly in education and healthcare, and ensure accountability for all forms of violence against children.
“Without strong political will, our advocacy remains incomplete,” he warned.
The NGE President challenged stakeholders to leave the event with at least one new commitment—be it an investigative series, an NGO partnership, a policy dialogue, a recurring child rights programme, or a joint advocacy campaign.
Quoting Nelson Mandela, he concluded:
“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”
Anaba urged every stakeholder present to become “the conscience of the nation,” using their platforms and influence to ensure that Nigerian children are protected, valued, and placed at the heart of national development.
