The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost children’s rights.
The groundbreaking event, which took place at the UN House in Abuja on Friday, aimed to leverage media’s influential power to promote and protect children’s rights across Nigeria.
According to UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, the partnership will also harness the media’s immense potential as an advocate for the welfare of children.
“Media not only informs public opinion but also influences those in power to enact changes that favour children’s rights. By joining forces, we are setting a course to transform how children’s rights are reported and addressed in the media, ensuring every child’s rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled,” she said.
President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba, highlighted the role of media in societal change, saying, “Media has the profound capacity to shape perspectives and effect real change.
“Through this MoU, we are pledging to uphold the integrity of journalism by focusing our collective expertise on sensitive and impactful reporting concerning children’s rights. We are committed to working together to build a robust framework that supports this cause.”
Also speaking, the Trustee of Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME), Lanre Idowu, emphasised the importance of excellence in journalism, adding that, “Recognition through awards plays a crucial role in elevating journalistic standards.”
He also disclosed that, “the collaboration will focus on advocacy and awareness campaigns, capacity building for journalists, shared research, recognition of impactful media contributions, and influencing policy to support children’s rights.”
Speaking further, Idowu noted that, “the interest of the Nigerian child is paramount to what we are doing. We are all winners when we look at the future of the child.”
The MoU, which is for a period of two years, outlines cooperation to enhance public advocacy and awareness of children’s rights through media campaigns and journalistic content focused on education, health, nutrition and protection.
