The media needs to focus on the welfare and rights of children as the future on the country, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) President Eze Anaba has said.
Anaba spoke at the weekend in Lagos at a symposium titled: Reinforcing the Role of Media in Mainstreaming Child Rights, jointly organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the NGE, and DAME Awards.
The event, which held at Radinson Blue in Ikeja, was attended by senior government officials, leading media professionals, rights advocates, and other stakeholders.
Anaba said: “As journalists, editors, and media practitioners, we wield a unique power: the power of storytelling. The narratives we create can inspire, mobilise, and drive change. Today, I urge us to channel this power towards a cause that demands our collective attention — the rights and well-being of Nigerian children.”
The NGE president said nearly half of the 220 million Nigerians are children, adding: “While we celebrate the vibrancy and resilience of our young population, we must confront some stark realities.”
Highlighting the challenges confronting children in the country, Anaba said: “Millions of Nigerian children are out of school, representing amongst the highest numbers globally. Many of these children are girls excluded due to poverty, conflicts, cultural barriers, or lack of basic infrastructure.
“Millions of Nigerian children under the age of one are not vaccinated, leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases. Thousands of children endure violence, abuse, child marriage, and labour. In conflict-affected regions, like the Northeast, children are forcibly recruited as combatants, robbing them of their innocence and futures.”
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The NGE president said statistics showed that there were many children “whose rights are being denied, whose dreams are deferred”.
He added: “These stories must be told. The media is not just a passive observer of society; it is an active participant in shaping societal norms and influencing policies. Our role in mainstreaming child rights is as important as any other stakeholder.
“We must uncover and amplify the voices of the voiceless.
“By highlighting the challenges children face —from lack of education to health inequities — we can mobilise public opinion and pressure policymakers to act. Accurate data is the foundation of effective advocacy. Let us collaborate with organisations, like the UNICEF, to ensure our stories are grounded in evidence.
“Beyond highlighting challenges, we must celebrate successes. Whether it’s the implementation of child-friendly policies, community-driven solutions, or young change-makers making an impact, these stories inspire hope and encourage replication.
“Today’s symposium underscores the importance of partnerships. UNICEF, a staunch advocate for children’s rights, has consistently provided invaluable data, insights, and support to the media.
“Together, we can develop media campaigns that drive awareness and action, equip journalists with data, tools and training to report on child rights effectively, create collaborations between media houses, civil society, and government to amplify advocacy efforts.”
Anaba urged journalists to do away with passive reporting, saying the media should embrace “solutions-based journalism”.
He added: “Let us ensure that child rights are not relegated to the margins of our news cycles but are front and centre, where they belong.
“When we leave this symposium, I challenge each of us to commit to at least one actionable step: a series of investigative reports, a partnership with an NGO, or a dedicated column for child rights. Collectively, our efforts can rewrite the narrative for millions of Nigerian children.”