Expose violence against children … UNICEF charges journalists

Journalists in Gombe have been charged to sustain efforts aimed at exposing violent actions against children until the ugly trend is brought to an end in the State.

Child Protection Specialist at the Bauchi Field office of UNICEF, Mrs. Ladi Alabi gave the charge in Gombe during a one day Media Dialogue on Violence against Children and training on Ethical Reporting of Children’s issues.

According to Mrs. Alabi, journalists should use their expertise to ensure that the public is aware of the consequences of violence meted on children who are the future of the country.

She said the public looks up to the media and their contributions in reporting all forms of violence against children, as such, the contributions and reports of the media would go a long way in bringing to an end or reducing the menace in Gombe state.

Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Gombe State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Rabi Daniel who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Hajiya Laraba Ahmad, said the campaign on ending violence against children must be consistent, continuous and carried out with passion.

The Director, Child Protection Development at the Gombe State Ministry of Women Affairs, Mr. Janis Mayamba, said the Campaign to End Violence against Children by the Gombe State Government was designed and targeted at various stakeholders, including the media who are needed as tools  for spreading the gospel of ending violence against children.

The one day Media Dialogue and Training programme was organized to provide participants with in-depth information on the findings of the Nigeria Violence Against Children, 2014 Survey, which was conducted by the National Population Commission.