The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) have formalized a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance children’s rights and welfare in Nigeria.
The partnership aims to harness the influential power of the media in promoting and safeguarding children’s rights nationwide.
According to a statement by UNICEF, the collaboration will prioritize advocacy and awareness campaigns, journalist capacity-building, shared research initiatives, recognition of impactful media contributions, and advocacy for policy changes to support children’s rights.
The MOU underscores a shared commitment among all parties to collectively work towards a society that prioritizes and advances the well-being of its youngest members.
UNICEF representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, highlighted the media’s potential as a powerful advocate for children’s welfare. She emphasized that the partnership with the Nigerian Guild of Editors and DAME aims to revolutionize how children’s rights are reported and addressed in the media, ensuring that every child’s rights are upheld, protected, and fulfilled.
NGE President, Eze Anaba, emphasized the media’s capacity to shape perspectives and drive tangible change. He pledged to uphold journalistic integrity by focusing on sensitive and impactful reporting on children’s rights issues, reaffirming a commitment to collaborate in establishing a robust framework to support this cause.
Lanre Idowu, a trustee of DAME, stressed the importance of journalistic excellence, noting that recognition through awards is instrumental in elevating standards in journalism.
The two-year MOU outlines cooperation to enhance public advocacy and awareness of children’s rights through media campaigns and journalistic content focusing on education, health, nutrition, and protection.
Crucially, the collaboration between UNICEF, NGE, and DAME underscores the importance of recognizing and celebrating exemplary journalism that advances children’s rights. Through the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence, the partners will honor journalists and media organizations that demonstrate outstanding commitment to reporting on children’s issues with integrity, sensitivity, and impact. By shining a spotlight on exemplary journalism, the awards aim to inspire and incentivize media professionals to continue championing children’s rights in their work.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with a myriad of challenges affecting its children, including poverty, conflict, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for concerted action to protect and promote children’s rights has never been greater. By coming together in partnership, UNICEF, NGE, and DAME exemplify the power of collaboration and collective action in driving positive change for Nigeria’s children. Through their combined efforts, they seek to create a brighter, more equitable future where every child can thrive, grow, and reach their full potential.
