By Aminu Dalhatu
Zamfara State Government has directed the inclusion of sustainable funding for the Auxiliary Social Workers Programme in the state’s 2027 budget to strengthen child protection and social welfare services across the state.
The State Governor, Dr Dauda Lawal gave the directive in Gusau at the graduation ceremony of 710 Auxiliary Social Workers, the unveiling of the Zamfara State Family Court Rules, and the launch of the Alternative Care Guidelines for Children.
He directed the Ministry of Women and Social Development to work with the Ministry of Budget and Planning to provide sustainable funding for the programme in the 2027 budget.
Dr Lawal Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Abubakar Nakwada, also directed the commencement of plans to train an additional 1,070 Auxiliary Social Workers to ensure adequate coverage of all 14 local government areas of the state.
He explained that, the three initiatives were shift from commitments to practical action in addressing child abuse, neglect, out-of-school children, street begging, and other challenges affecting children.
Governor Lawal congratulated the graduating Auxiliary Social Workers, described them as frontline responders who would serve as the eyes, ears, and hands of government in their respective communities.
He disclosed that, the workers had already identified, referred, and supported 2,030 vulnerable children during their fieldwork, describing the achievement as evidence of the programme’s impact.
The governor said the programme which supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and delivered by the Federal University Gusau, was designed to establish a sustainable, community-based child protection system that would continue to function beyond the involvement of development partners.
On the newly unveiled Family Court Rules, Governor Lawal said the initiative would promote child-friendly, timely, and confidential justice for children and families.
He stressed that children who had experienced abuse or other forms of vulnerability should not suffer further trauma while seeking justice, adding that, the rules would help ensure that their rights and welfare were protected throughout judicial proceedings.
The governor also explained that the Alternative Care Guidelines for Children would provide clear procedures for kinship care, foster care, and other forms of alternative care, with institutionalisation reserved as a last resort.
In addition, he directed the full operationalisation of the Hurriyya Safe Centre as a one-stop facility for survivors of gender-based violence and other forms of abuse.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of UNICEF Field Office in Sokoto, Mr Micheal Juma commended the Zamfara State Government for its commitment to strengthening child protection and promoting the welfare of children and families through the graduation of 710 auxiliary social workers and the introduction of new family justice frameworks.
Mr Juma also expressed UNICEF’s readiness to support the expansion of the programme to accommodate another batch of trainees, noting that increasing the number of trained social workers would improve access to child protection services.
On the Zamfara State Family Court Rules, Mr Juma said UNICEF was proud to have partnered with the state government and the judiciary in developing the framework to advance justice for children and families.
He explained that the rules represented an important step towards establishing a justice system that prioritises the best interests, dignity, privacy and protection of children.
According to him, the framework provides guidance for handling cases involving children in need of care and protection, as well as those in conflict with the law, while ensuring that their rights are respected throughout judicial proceedings.
He added that UNICEF would continue to support Zamfara State in strengthening the implementation of the rules and ensuring that the family court system meets the required standards.
Mr Micheal Juma stressed that the launch of the rules was not merely a formal exercise but an important step towards building a justice system that places children at the centre of judicial processes.
He said effective implementation would improve access to justice for children and families while promoting a more protective and child-friendly approach to the administration of justice.
Earlier, the Zamfara State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftency Affairs, Garba Yandi stressed that, government would integrate the newly trained auxiliary social workers into local government social welfare and community development structures to strengthen social protection services and improve the welfare of vulnerable people across the state.
He explained that the initiative had been implemented through a tripartite agreement involving Federal University Gusau and the two ministries, with technical support from UNICEF.
In a remark, The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Anka, explained that, the auxiliary social workers would serve as a link between the government and communities by identifying children facing abuse, neglect, homelessness, exclusion from school, displacement and conflict with the law.
She added that the graduates had acquired skills in child protection, gender-based violence case management and referrals, psychosocial first aid and community engagement.
On the unveiling of the Zamfara State Family Court Rules, she said the initiative would provide clearer procedures for handling family and children’s cases, with emphasis on timely, confidential and child-friendly justice.
The event was organized by the Zamfara State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftency Affairs, the State Ministry for Women Affairs, UNICEF and Life Helpers.
The ceremony ended with the slogan: “Kare Yara Nauyinmu Ne, Gina Makomar Zamfara Aikinmu Ne” — Protecting Children Is Our Responsibility; Building Zamfara’s Future Is Our Duty.
Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
