…Seeks for more advocacy in area of child protection
By Salim Umar Ibrahim, Kano
No fewer than 40 media practitioners in Kano attended a partnership and network strengthening meeting organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF) in collaboration with ARTV Kano.
The meeting is aimed at fostering more engagement with the media as gatekeeper and a major driver of social development in every society.
Delivering her welcome remarks, the Director General, Abubakar Rimi Television, ARTV Kano who is also the Chairperson of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Hajiya Sa’a Ibrahim stress the need for media practitioners to always observe credibility in their daily reportage as well shun the monopoly of social media and issues of breaking news which has to a certain level, crippled the credibility of information dissemination.
“Until you, as a journalist draw a line and exercise credibility in your stories then you are different as a professional from the social media self acclaimed journalists who disseminate unverified information” she said.
She added that all journalist in the field must try as much as possible to combat the spread of fake news and do anything possible to promote peace and stamp a foot as a credible source.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF office Kano, Maulid Warfa, who delivered a goodwill message express dismay over the rising rate of maternal mortality, malnutrition, issues in child bearing, practice of unhygienic lifestyle among children, nursing and pregnant women which in most cases result to the worrying state of survival among children.
Therefore, Warfa calls on more advocacy from the media to achieve the desired result for the betterment of the children.
“The media has a lot to offer in the development of every community. So, I urge you all journalists present to use the power of the media to change the narrative so that the children are not left behind.”
He further express UNICEF’s readiness to help in taking every initiative from the media in combatting issues around or related to the wellbeing of children.
On issue of Almajiri, Warfa has described the issue as “complicated and multifaceted,” commending Kano State government for its resolve to integrate the Almajiris into formal education.
He disclosed that the UNICEF is working with the Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Education and Governor’s Office to make sure that children are integrated into formal education in the state.
“It is a long-term programme. It will indeed take time before it is modernized due to the fact that there is social, cultural, religious and financial issues.
“The same method is applied to child labour and child hawking. We make efforts in collaboration with the state government to ensure these problems are mitigated.
“We always go out to the authorities and policy makers in a bid to find lasting solutions to all problems bidevilling children,” he assured.
Several issues raised from presentations by UNICEF’s programme Managers and Specialists were intensively digested and discussed with the participants in an interactive session.
Farida Umar Abdu, who is the focal person for ARTV/UNICEF and the Chief organiser of the meeting, Samuel Kaalu express optimism that the involvement of Journalists in combatting issues around children in the state will go a long way in clamouring the issues contained.
The United Nation Children Fund, UNICEF, is a member of the United Nations General Assembly set up in December, 1946 to cater for children of Europe affected by World War II formally known as United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.
UNICEF operates in 190 countries in the world mandated to advocate for the protection of Children’s right, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.