By Faith Awa Maji, Katsina
CHIEF of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Field Office, Kano, Mr. Rahama Mohammed Farah has tasked journalists in Nigeria to intensify commitment towards promoting issues affecting vulnerable children and women.
Mr. Rahama Mohammed Farah stated this in a two-day capacity-building workshop for media representatives from Katsina, Kano and Jigawa States held in Kano State
He said if journalists focused on children issue-based by setting agenda for politicians, early marriage, high rate school drop out, lack of girl child education among others will reduce drastically.
“Malnutrition, under-age marriage are still rampant and many school-age children especially girls still do not have access to education” he said.
Mr. Rahama Mohammed Farah, represented by Communication Specialist, UNICEF Field Office, Kano, Mr. Samuel Kaalu said children and women related issues need the efforts of all and sundry irrespective of political, religion or race differences.
“With 2023 around the corner and politicians and candidates campaigning to hold various positions, the media should get these politicians to make commitment on how they intend to tackle some of these issues if they get to office.
“The World should know the situation of children in Nigeria to the extent that if you marry off an under-age girl, she may never get the opportunity to go to school.”
Director-General, Abubakar Rimi Television, Kano, Hajiya Sa’a Ibrahim, in her speech noted that her organisation has consistently been in partnership with UNICEF towards journalism development, education, children and women issues.”
The workshop was designed to, among objectives, enhance the capacity of participants on reporting children and women issues.
