UNICEF: Media Practitioners in the North East Lament Growing Child Poverty in Nigeria

From Paul Orude Bauchi

Media Practitioners in the North East have lamented the growing poverty indices among Nigerian Children calling for strategic policy shift by governments to address the problem.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of a two-day Media Dialogue organised by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Bauchi Field Office for Media Practitioners in Adamawa, Bauchi, and Gombe and Adamawa States March 12 and 13, 2024 

The communique, which was signed by Ishola Michael Adeyemi of the Nigerian Tribune, Bauchi, Rebecca Caleb Maina of Gombe Media Corporaton and Aisha Mohammed of Radio Nigeria, Tombina,

The journalists commended UNICEF for sustained engagement with the Media saying the initiative that has provided opportunity for the media to have first-hand information required to continue and strengthen the advocacy for children and women policies and programmes.

“The Media Dialogue has noted with concern the growing poverty indices among Nigerian Children and therefore calls for strategic policy shift by governments at both States and National levels to improve the lives of children bedeviled by the poverty phenomenon,” the communique stated.

It called for a seamless policy implementation across all tiers of governments to empower Nigerians against the present high cost of living.

“Nigerian Social Safety Register should be cleaned up to ensure transparency and honesty are driving its implementation,” it suggested.

“Heads of households and community stakeholders should support women and adolescent girls to access healthcare services for an improved quality reproductive, maternal and child health status in states”

Media practitioners at the dialogue resolved to continue to advocate for child friendly policies as part of their contribution to achieving an egalitarian society using different platforms of communication.

They therefore called state governments to prioritize children’s wellbeing in budgeting and decision-making processes and policies as well as other issues that directly concerns them.

“The meeting equally calls on state governments to assist small farmers with farming inputs at subsidized rates easily enough to address food insecurity and child poverty,” it said

They appeal to governments and stakeholders in the education sector to beef up monitoring system in education sector to enhance school safety for improved learning outcomes and safe environment for all.

“The meeting calls on governments at all levels to empower women especially in conflict affected areas and rural communities to address child poverty and stimulate rapid development.” It stated.

“The meeting commends Gombe State as the host state for a conducive environment”