Press Release
As the world celebrates International Children’s Day of Broadcasting (ICDB), the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture calls on the media to provide platforms for children to air their views on issues concerning them.
On Sunday, 4th March, broadcasting organizations throughout Nigeria will celebrate this year’s International Children’s Day of Broadcasting. In Nigeria, most stations will give control of their operations to children, who will take part in newscasts, productions and presentations.
Articles of 12 and 14 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child say that children have the right to form their own views and to express their views freely through the media on matters affecting them. This is what the International Children’s Day of Broadcasting tries to realise. The theme for this year is “Girls’ Education; special protection for girls in the northeast”.
The theme highlights the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child that all children irrespective of their status and situation should enjoy their rights to protection and education as enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Child Rights Act 2003.
The Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed calls on the Nigerian Media to work with children on this day for national development. “In this era of change, children’s voices can bring in a refreshing perspective to the issues of national development and security. Let us give every Nigerian child irrespective of status, location or disability a chance to contribute to our national development efforts”, he said.
The ICDB is a day set aside for a media campaign by children to promote their rights, especially their right to participation. It also serves as a platform for a synergy of effort and strong alliance by two key players in the promotion of children’s rights – the media and the children themselves.
The broadcast media in Nigeria has participated m commemorating the International Children’s Day of Broadcasting since 1992.
Ibiba. H. Bello (Mrs)
Director/Head Advocacy (CRIB)
