UNIZIK VC Anyaehie Reaffirms Commitment to Child Rights, Pledges Establishment of Gender-Based Centre

The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, has reaffirmed his commitment to protecting children's rights, emphasising that every child deserves unconditional love, care, protection and support from all members of society.

Prof. Anyaehie made the declaration on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the 2026 National Child Rights Summit held at the ASUU Secretariat, UNIZIK, Awka. He stressed that love for children must be demonstrated through everyday actions and decisions, noting that children occupy a vital place in society and that their well-being requires collective responsibility.

The Vice-Chancellor called for love and the responsible use of technology in child protection. He noted that protecting children requires more than imposing restrictions, stressing the importance of patient guidance to help them understand potential dangers.

Sharing a personal experience, Prof. Anyaehie disclosed that his son willingly surrenders his phone during school sessions because he understands the reasons behind the rule.

He further revealed that the university was exploring a partnership to provide specially designed tablets for students, with restrictions on social media platforms and harmful websites. He urged parents to support the initiative and called on academics to promote evidence-based research on digital safety and strengthen the Child Rights Act to address emerging challenges.

Prof. Anyaehie 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.

The traditional rulers 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.

The Vice-Chancellor 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.

Dr. Edogor highlighted the Vice-Chancellor's support for the initiative's vision, describing it as a potentially pioneering project among Nigerian universities.

He called for support for the establishment of a Child Rights Media and Communication Centre at the university. According to him, the proposed centre would serve as a multidisciplinary African hub for child protection through responsible technology, research, strategic communication and partnerships aimed at amplifying children's voices and influencing policy.

Dr. Edogor 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 both 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.

Bishop Anagbe also called for clear and responsible regulatory frameworks that prioritise children's interests in the digital age. He maintained that discussions about artificial intelligence (AI) should move beyond what the technology can do to consider what it should be permitted to do, who benefits from its use, what safeguards are necessary and who should be held accountable when harm occurs.

He further 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. He cited estimates of approximately two million internally displaced persons and 40 camps, lamenting that many children had spent years in camps without access to schooling and adequate parental care following repeated attacks on communities and places of worship.

Bishop Anagbe called on the government and security agencies to take more decisive action to protect lives and restore stability. He stressed that displaced children must not be forgotten and should 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 supporting child rights initiatives.

Similarly, 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.