As preparations build for the 2025 National Children’s Day celebration in Lafia, the Nasarawa State government has sent a clear message:
“Anyone caught bullying children or other vulnerable persons will be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.”
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, Barr. Hauwa Jugbo, delivered the message while addressing journalists. Her tone was firm, her intent unmistakable bullying in any form, anywhere, will not be tolerated.
The commissioner outlined the government’s strong resolve to safeguard the rights and well-being of every child by eliminating all forms of bullying. This isn’t just a promise it’s a duty the state has upheld through alignment with UN resolutions and the domesticated Child Rights Law.
She didn’t mince words when she said: “Parents, teachers, adults, and other caregivers who are responsible for the welfare of children must refrain from bullying those in their care, as such actions attract sanctions.”
Jugbo pointed to a troubling rise in bullying reports, not just in classrooms but behind closed doors. The victims? Often children left to suffer in silence, battling scars that aren’t always visible scars that leave long-term physical, emotional, and psychological trauma.
She highlighted a disturbing pattern: “What is most troubling is the sense of entitlement and lack of empathy displayed by some perpetrators, who believe they have the right to mistreat their victims.”
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Worse still, many of these cases go unreported. This silence, she said, shields aggressors and “prevents the government from intervening and bringing the perpetrators to justice.”
The consequences are often grave: “This troubling situation can lead to serious injuries, even death, or leave the victims with lasting anxiety that hinders their personality development and growth.”
Jugbo reaffirmed the government’s position with a final reminder:
“Bullying is a statutory offence, and legal action can be taken against perpetrators under existing laws.”
Her closing remarks were a promise to all vulnerable groups in the state their protection remains a priority, and “they are given the opportunity to reach their full potential.”