By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
The Chief Executive Officer of Save the Child Initiative (STCI), Nigeria, and National President, Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL), Mr. Abdulganiyu Abubakar, has been conferred with the prestigious award of National Child Protection Icon.
Presenting the award to him at the 4th Annual Child and Society Conference, held in Abuja, the National Coordinator, Child Protection Network (CPN), Nigeria, Comrade Olakunle Ismael Sani said it was in recognition of his outstanding contributions to defending the rights of children in Nigeria and beyond.
“This honour is bestowed on Mr. Abdulganiyu Abubakar in recognition of his outstanding contributions to child protection in Nigeria, as well as his efforts in mobilizing and uniting child protection networks across the country,” Comrade Olakunle said.
Explaining the rationale for the conference, the CPN National Coordinator said the Annual Child and Society Conference and Award is an initiative of the Child Protection Network (CPN), Nigeria, aimed at promoting child rights’ protection, and collaborative action among stakeholders.
Reacting to the development, Mr Damilola Folorunso, the Technical Assistant, Strategic Communication to the National President of NACTAL, quoted his principal, Mr. Andulganiyu Abubakar as expressing profound gratitude to the Child Protection Network, (CPN), Nigeria for the honour.
While noting that the group is doing great work on child protection, Abdulganiyu hinted that NACTAL, Nigeria which comprises of over 200 civil society organizations reiterates its unwavering commitment to child protection, networking, and collaboration nationwide.
According to him, NACTAL, Nigeria leads the coalition in combatting human trafficking and child exploitation. And as the Chief Executive Officer of Save The Child Initiative (STCI), Nigeria, he also oversees strategic partnerships with various agencies such as NAPTIP and other international organizations to strengthen child protection, regional security, and reintegration efforts across Nigeria and West Africa.
