By; TINA PHINEAS, Yola
It has been observed that the non-enforcement of the Child Rights Acts
in States where the Law exists and non-passage of the Bill in some
states are majorly responsible for neglect of the rights of the Nigerian child.
A Communication consultant with UNICEF Nigeria, Mr Onche Odeh, made
this observation while presenting a paper titled “Ethical Principles in Reporting” at two day workshop on ethical reporting and media dialogue for journalists in Bauchi.
Odeh describe the child as a King that must be looked after, cared for
and protected from all sort of physical and psychological abuse.
He therefore urged journalist to lend their voice on the plight of the
Nigerian children as it effects their protection and development in
the society.
“As journalists, you are the voice of the children that cannot speak for themselves”, Odeh stated
The UNICEF communication Consultant, lamented that most public
institutions such as hotels and hospitals, etc don’t have child
friendly facilities and this deprive the child of his/her rights to
play
He urged participants at the training to look at the angle with a view
to bringing the attention of policy makers on the need to establish
child friendly centers in public places in order to give children a
sense of belonging in line with their rights as children.
“When you go to public places, you cannot find any part of the
building that caters for children’s needs, thus, the child is stuck in
an adult environment which does not help in the development of such
child” He stated
The training was organized by Bauchi State Television (BATV) with
support from UNICEF Nigeria Bauchi field office.
The training program attracted participants from States that are
supported by UNICEF Bauchi Field office made up of Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau, Taraba and Jigawa states.
