By; ALEX UANGBAOJE, Kaduna.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commended the efforts of media practitioners in Kaduna state for their excellent performance in reporting issues relating to women and children in the outgoing year, 2016.
UNICEF Kaduna Chief of Field Office, Uptal Moitra explained on Thursday, while declaring open, 2016 end of year media review meeting, that the media remained a critical stakeholders in addressing issues affecting children in the state.
He commended the media for their support in flying UNICEF flag in efforts to uplift the lives of children in the state.
Moitra added that UNICEF has recorded huge success in 2016, a development he attributed to the support of the media.
He urged all media partners in the state to build on the achievements recorded in 2016 for better outcome in 2017.
“It is not about doing it more, but doing it better and move from doing better to excellence in 2017 interventions in malnutrition, HIV and AIDS, WASH and immunization among other interventions.
“The goal should be how to take these issues to the debating table in the state that would translate into practical and achievable interventions on children issues in the state, “the UNICEF Boss said.
He equally commended the initiative of the UNICEF Media and External Relation Officer of the Kaduna Field office to engage the media in monitoring project implementations and assess impact in all UNICEF intervention in the state.
He recommended doing things differently in 2017, particularly by bringing children into the discussion table and give them a voice on issues affecting them.
He reiterated UNICEF continued partnership with the media and stressed that together they can do better for children and people of the state.
The Media and External Relation Officer, Malam Rabiu Musa, also commended the media for supporting UNICEF in carrying out its activities in the state.
He said that Kaduna State has remained top in terms of production, coverage and reportage of children issues compared with other state in the other part of the country.
Rabiu also said that plans are being concluded for journalist to visit some Local Governments Areas where WASH project is being implement to get response from beneficiaries and measure impact.
Participants were drawn from Kaduna State Media Cooperation (KSMC), Federal Radio Cooperation of Nigeria (FRCN) Nagarta Radio, DITV/Alheri Radio, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and New Nigerian Newspapers.
