LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Nigerian Guild of Editors formed a partnership to promote and protects children right across the federation
This partnership, according to UNICEF, goes beyond just an agreement, it will leverage on the power of the media to influence policy to support children rights.
Being a professional body, the collaboration will provide capacity building for journalists, facilitate research and use the power of the media for strong advocacy of children rights.
The MoU was signed by the NGE and UNICEF in Abuja on Friday.
During the event, UNICEF Representative, Cristian Munduate said NGE presence in the media cannot be underestimated and it’s a faction in the Nigerian society that can influence and bring realisation to the rights of children in the country.
Nigerian children are confronted with different challenges and needs in different environments they live, she said
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She said: “These are more.” challenging for us, but it is necessary to inform !1stakeholders and all adults because we are responsible for these children.
“In whatever activities we do, we have responsibilities to our children, especially those children who are vulnerable and left behind in the country.
“The MoU we are signing today goes beyond an agreement.
“It is a declaration of our unified vision and accountability to harness the powerful voice of the media for the betterment of children’s lives.
“The media’s role cannot be overstated.
“It informs, it moderates the public, it creates the mind and it influences those in power to make decisions, to create public policies.”
Munduate optimistic the partnership would continuously to spread the rights of children in Nigeria.
The President of the NGE, Eze Anaba, also expressed her concerns over the rising insecurity plaguing the country and pleaded with the leaders to take bild step in securing the children lives.
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She said: “The country is challenged at all levels, ranging from terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other conflicts and children are the most victims of all these challenges.
“Unprecedented number of children are out of school and malnourished.
“If we do not take care of issues plaguing the kids and other vulnerable people, we are endangering our future.
“I am excited by this MoU.
“It will give the Guild an opportunity to talk to colleagues, to look back on the fact that we should not be carried away by politics.”
Anaba, therefore, said: “It is our responsibility to draw the government’s attention to help the kids and help our future.”