In furtherance of deepening partnership and child protection interventions, on June 23, 2025, we received a high-level delegation from the Child Protection Unit of UNICEF Nigeria at the Nigeria Governors' Spouses Forum (NGSF) Secretariat. Together with the NGSF Chairperson, Ambassador Professor Olufolake Abdulrazaq, First Lady of Kwara State, I joined my colleagues: Her Excellency Hajia Huriyya Dauda Lawal, First Lady of Zamfara State; Chief (Mrs) Titilayo Adeleke, First Lady of Osun State; and a representative from the office of the First Lady of Katsina State in this strategic engagement. The meeting constituted a follow-up to the 2023 Joint Compact of Agreement signed between the NGSF and UNICEF. Our deliberations focused on accelerating state-specific interventions in critical areas, including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) prevention, Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), birth registration, and the prevention of child marriage. During the engagement, we reaffirmed our shared commitment with UNICEF to child protection and the advancement of child rights through focused, evidence-based interventions. UNICEF presented a framework outlining the next steps toward implementation, with activities scheduled to commence in identified pilot states within the coming months. The NGSF, through our strategic collaboration with UNICEF, remains steadfast in our commitment to leveraging the collective voice, influence, and advocacy capacity of the First Ladies to ensure that no child shall be left behind on the path to safety, dignity, and opportunity.

#ChiomaUzodimma

H.E. Chief Barr. (Dr.) Chioma Uzodimma FIMC, CMC
First Lady of Imo State, Founder of GoodHope Women Flourish Initiative,
and Secretary of Renewed Hope Initiative.