Media practitioners in Adamawa, Bauchi, and Gombe have been urged to continue to play pivotal roles in raising awareness about child poverty issues in the States.
They were told to do that through various media such as investigative journalism, documentaries, and advocacy campaigns considering that media outlets have the power to shine a light on the root causes of child poverty and hold policymakers accountable for implementing effective solutions.
The call was contained in a Communique issued at the end of a two-day Media Dialogue on addressing Child Poverty in Adamawa, Bauchi, and Gombe States facilitated by UNICEF, Bauchi Field Office held at the Evolution Hotel, Gombe, Gombe State.
The communique further contained that by amplifying the voices of marginalised communities and showcasing success stories of interventions, the media can catalyze positive changes and mobilise public support for addressing child poverty.
The Team commended UNICEF for sustained engagement with the Media, an initiative that has provided an opportunity for the media practitioners to have first-hand information required to continue and strengthen the advocacy for pro-children and women policies and programmes.
The Media Roundtable/Dialogue noted with concern, the growing poverty indices among Nigerian Children and therefore called for strategic policy shift by governments at both States and National levels to improve the lives of children bedeviled by the poverty phenomenon.
The meeting also called for a seamless policy implementation across all tiers of government to empower Nigerians against the present high cost of living whose devastating effects are unprecedented, especially on the children and women.
Furthermore, Nigerian Social Safety Register should be cleaned up to ensure transparency and honesty are driving its implementation.
The meeting called on heads of households and community stakeholders to support women and adolescent girls to access healthcare services for an improved quality of reproductive, maternal, and child health status in states.
Participants at the meeting then resolved to continue to advocate for child-friendly policies as part of their contribution to achieving an egalitarian society using different platforms of communication.
The meeting also called on state governments to prioritize children’s well-being in budgeting and decision-making processes and policies as well as other issues that directly concern them.
The meeting equally called on state governments to assist small farmers with farming inputs at subsidized rates easily enough to address food insecurity and child poverty.
It further called on state governments and stakeholders in the education sector to beef up monitoring systems in education sector to enhance school safety for improved learning outcomes and a safe environment for all.
The meeting called on governments at all levels to empower women, especially in conflict-affected areas and rural communities to address child poverty and stimulate rapid development.
The meeting commended Gombe State Government as the host state for a conducive environment.
Recognizing the significance of the media in addressing child poverty, the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office (BFO) organized the Media Dialogue on addressing Child Poverty in Bauchi, Gombe, and Adamawa States.
The event, brought together journalists from print, electronic, and online platforms to inform and empower them on issues affecting children in these states.
The communique was jointly drafted and signed by Ishola Michael Adeyemi Nigerian Tribune, Assistant Northern Bureau Chief as Chairman, Mohammed Aisha of Radio Nigeria, Fombina FM, Yola as Secretary, and Rebecca Caleb Maina, Gombe Media Corporation as a Member.