Information Minister, Lai Mohammed
In commemoration of the 2021 International Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) coming up on Sunday, 7th March, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed had called on the Media to open their airwaves to the children for this year’s celebration to air their views on issues that concem them in Nigeria as in other countries.
In a statement signed by deputy director, head advocacy, Mercy Megwa, Lai said in other countries, most stations will give control of their operations to chiidren, who will take part in newscasts, productions and presentations adding that Articles 12 and 14 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child stated that children have the right to form their own views and to express their views freely through the media on matters affecting them and this is what the ICDB set to realize.
The Minister said, the theme for this year’s celebration, “Unite to reverse the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on children” 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 Survival and Development as enshrined in the Convention on the R ghts of the Child (CRC) and the Child Rights Act (CRA) 2003.
He therefore called on the Media to give Ngerian children the opportunity to commemorate this year’s ICBD by making their platforms available for children irrespective of their status, location, ability or disability a chance to promote the rights and to contribute to national development.
The ICBD is a day set aside for a media campaign by children to promote their rights, especially their right to participation.
The Broadcast Media in Nigeria has participated in commemorating the ICDB since 1992.
“We therefore enjoin Broadcasters to open airwaves to the children for this year’s celebration.”
