UNICEF, NGE, others partner to boost children’s rights

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) as well as critical stakeholders in the education sector have urged media practitioners to embrace solution-based journalism while addressing pressing child rights issues in the country.

Specifically, UNICEF urged the media to tell stories about child rights with passion rather than addressing it as mere numbers, noting that journalists wield the unique power of story telling that can inspire, mobilise, and drive changes in any society.

They spoke at a symposium put together by UNICEF Nigeria, NGE and Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME) themed: “Reinforce the media’s role in mainstreaming child rights advocacy,’ in Lagos.

The symposium emphasised the media’s role in holding the government accountable and amplifying the voices of vulnerable children.

UNICEF Country Representative, Cristian Munduate, in her presentation titled: ‘The state of Nigerian children: Summary of the 2024 situational analysis of children and adolescents in Nigeria,’ underscored the severity of the situation, revealing that about 10 million primary school-age children are not in school.

Munduate also highlighted the issue of multi-dimensional poverty, noting that 67 per cent of Nigerian children face various forms of deprivation, including poor health and lack of education.

Besides, she lamented that about 2.1 million Nigerian children have not received any vaccines, leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases.

Munduate praised past media efforts that influenced policy changes and urged journalists to maintain pressure on stakeholders.

As a very powerful sector, the UNICEF chief noted that the media can play a powerful role in the country. “You can help keep children alive and put their issues at the top of national agenda. You can inform society about the situation of children, while raising the awareness and making everybody understand they are accountable for children because each adult in the country has a role to play.

While calling for media accountability and a very strong partnership, Munduate said the media should influence policy changes as well as maintain pressure on stakeholders.

“Childhood is short. We must act now to secure a better future for our children,” Munduate added.

In his opening remarks, the NGE President, Eze Anaba, called for collective commitment from media practitioners, policymakers, and health professionals to give utmost attention to child rights.

Anaba identified the implementation of child-friendly policies, community-driven solutions, and young changemakers making an impact as part of measures to drive the course.

“The narratives we create can inspire, mobilise, and drive change. We must ensure that our children remain at the front and centre in all we do, with the objective of making our country and the world a better place for them.

“I urge us to channel this power toward a cause that demands our collective attention: the rights and well-being of Nigerian children.”

Anaba also called for collective commitment from journalists, policymakers, and health professionals to prioritise child rights, stating that the population of children facing multi-dimensional poverty was becoming alarming.

“Nigeria is home to around 220 million people, and nearly half of them are children. While we celebrate the vibrancy and resilience of our young population, we must confront some stark realities. Millions of Nigerian children are out of school.

“We see them on the streets, hawking and begging. They are victims of violence, abuse, child marriage, and labour. Many are unvaccinated, leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases. In conflict-affected regions like the Northeast, children are forcibly recruited as combatants, robbing them of their innocence and futures. These statistics are not just numbers; they represent stories of children whose rights are denied and whose dreams are deferred. These stories must be told.

“Our role in mainstreaming child rights is as important as that of any other stakeholder. We must uncover and amplify the voices of the voiceless by highlighting the challenges children face. Let us embrace solution-based journalism that not only highlights problems, but also explores and advocates for solutions. “

Child rights should not be relegated to the margins of our news cycles, but should take centre stage where they belong.”

He also emphasised the importance of celebrating successes, such as the implementation of child-friendly policies, community-driven solutions, and young changemakers making an impact.

Speaking on the plight of Nigerian children, Founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, said the country’s future workforce is at risk ‘if truly there are over 10 million children out of school with no skills or education, how will they participate in the future economy? Without education, they will become liabilities rather than assets.

“The Nigerian child is an interesting paradox. On one hand, they represent
hope and potential. However, potential means nothing if it’s not realised. The Nigerian child faces staggering odds just to survive,” he stated.

“The world doesn’t want liabilities; it wants skilled workers who can build economies. These children, desperate to escape their situation, are often classified as refugees or illegal immigrants because they have no value to contribute. We must address this to ensure they can meaningfully contribute to global markets,” he added.

Participants called for stronger partnerships between the media, civil society, and government to create impactful campaigns that promote child-friendly policies. They also emphasised the need for accurate data to support advocacy efforts.

As the event concluded, stakeholders assured of their commitment to ensuring child rights remain a national priority.