UNIZIK, A CHILD-FRIENDLY UNIVERSITY
UNIZIK VC, PROF. ANYAEHIE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO CHILD RIGHTS, PLEDGES GENDER-BASED CENTRE
The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, has reaffirmed his commitment to child rights, stressing that children deserve unconditional love, care, protection and support from all members of society.
Prof. Anyaehie made this declaration on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the 2026 National Child Rights Summit held at the ASUU Secretariat, UNIZIK, Awka. He emphasised that love for children must be reflected in everyday actions and decisions, noting that children occupy a vital place in society and deserve collective responsibility for their well-being.
The Vice Chanellor called for love and responsible use of technology in child protection. He said protecting children requires more than restrictions, but patient guidance that helps them understand dangers. Sharing a personal experience, he said his son willingly surrenders his phone during school sessions because he understands the reason behind the rule.
Prof. Anyaehie disclosed that the university is exploring partnership to provide specially designed tablets for students with restrictions on social media and harmful sites, urging parents to support the initiative. He urged academics to promote evidence-based research on digital safety and strengthen the Child Rights Act to address emerging challenges.
The Vice-Chancellor commended the keynote speaker, the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, CMF; the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji Ama, psc, mnips; and the traditional rulers who honoured the University's invitation. They included HRH Igwe Dr. Benjamin Okeji of Omasi; HRH Igwe Simeon Ikechukwu Chidubem of Umumbo; HRM Igwe Ben Emeka of Umueri; and HRM Igwe Dr. Pharmacist Alex Onyido of Ogidi.
He also praised the organisers for their commitment to child rights advocacy and scholarship, pledging to facilitate the establishment of a gender-based centre at the University in the near future.
Earlier, the Chairman of the UNIZIK Child Rights Committee, Dr. Obiorah Edogor, welcomed participants and commended the Vice-Chancellor for strengthening the University's contributions to child rights scholarship and advocacy. He highlighted the Vice-Chancellor's support for the vision of the initiative, describing it as a potentially pioneering project among Nigerian universities.
Dr. Obiora Edogor, called for support for the establishment of a Child Rights Media and Communication Centre in the university. Edogor said the centre would serve as a multidisciplinary African hub for child protection through responsible technology, research, strategic communication and partnerships to amplify children's voices and influence policy.
He also acknowledged the support of the General Manager of Zenith Bank Plc and the management of Divino Amore Vocational Institute, Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area, for their contributions to the success of the programme.
The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji Ama, psc, mnips, who chaired the occasion and was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Ezeobata, commended the organisers for convening the summit. He drew attention to the challenges confronting children and young people in the digital age, stressing the need to ensure that every child has a fair opportunity to access digital technology while remaining protected from its potential dangers. He also highlighted the Police Command's efforts to address child rights violations through the establishment of a gender unit.
In his keynote address, Most Rev. Dr. Anagbe called for the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes. He described the Nigerian child as a present responsibility of government and society, warning that schools without adequate safety measures expose children to serious risks.
The Catholic Bishop urged universities to incorporate children's voices into policy formulation, emphasising that their views matter in decisions affecting their lives. He further stressed that no child should be abandoned by institutions or society, noting that enacting laws without effective implementation amounts to a waste of effort. He challenged the organisers to ensure that the summit's resolutions translated into concrete action beyond declarations.He stressed that Nigeria must develop clear and responsible regulatory frameworks that prioritise children's interests, noting that the conversation should move beyond what AI can do, to what it should be allowed to do, who benefits, what safeguards are required and who is accountable when harm occurs. The prelate also called for deliberate efforts to bridge the digital divide, particularly in rural communities where poverty, poor internet access and low digital literacy continue to limit children's opportunities to learn and compete.
The Bishop of Makurdi Diocese also drew attention to the plight of internally displaced children in Benue State. cited estimates of about two million internally displaced persons and 40 camps, lamenting that many children have spent years in camps without schooling and parental care, following repeated attacks on communities and places of worship.
Bishop Anagbe called on government and security agencies to take more decisive action to protect lives and restore stability, stressing that displaced children must not be forgotten and must have access to education, safety and a dignified future.
The lead paper, titled "The Legal and Policy Framework For Protecting Children's Rights In The Digital Age", was presented by the Vice-Chancellor of Imo State University, Prof. U.U. Chukwumaeze, SAN, and delivered on his behalf by Prof. Chineyeze Amaechi. The presentation examined the legal and policy considerations necessary to safeguard children in an increasingly digital society.
In their contributions, the traditional ruler of Ogidi, HRM Igwe Dr. Pharmacist Alex Onyido, expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for his support for child rights initiatives.
In his own contribution, the Anambra State Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Charles Orakwue Onubogu, acknowledged that the digital revolution was irreversible but called for responsible regulation. He also urged parents and children to remain vigilant and work together in the fight against drug abuse.
The summit attracted academics, industrialists, students and other stakeholders, including participants from sister institutions such as Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of a humanitarian award to Most Rev. Dr. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, CMF, in recognition of his contributions to humanitarian service and advocacy.
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