By Philip Yatai

Save the Children International (SCI), an NGO, has established a State Media Working Group (SMWG) to increase the voices of children on their survival, development and protection in Kaduna State.

The group was established at the end of a two-day training of journalists by SCI on health advocacy to strengthen health systems in the state.

Inaugurating the group in Zaria on Wednesday, Mr Kunle Olawoyin, SCI’s Information and External Communication Specialist, explained that the move was to influence duty bearers to protect the right of children.

Olawoyin said that the group would influence behaviour change, public mobilisation, influence duty bearers, and empower right bearers toward child survival, development and protection.

He added that the group would drive discussions around issues affecting child survival, learning and protection against all forms of deprivation and abuses.

Mr Farouk Abdulkadir, the Advocacy and Communication Coordinator of SCI, said the capacity of the media, Civil Society Organisations and community structures would be enhanced.

According to him, this will enable them to communicate in a manner that will change the behaviour of policy makers and duty bearers toward protecting the rights of children.

“The group will also increase the voice of children on equal participation and inclusion in all issues affecting children in Kaduna state,” he said.

Mr Philip Yatai of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) was elected as Chair of the group, with Mohammed Ajingi of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) as Vice Chairman, while Mr Joshua James, Executive Director of Jalad Media Concept, would serve as Secretary.

Respinding on behalf of colleagues, Yatai thanked members of the group for the privilege and promised to deliver on the expectations, particularly promoting the protection of the rights of children.

“We will do the best we can in driving discussions around children’s rights, hold duty bearers to account and advocate for the protection of children to ensure their survival and development.

“This will enable them to grow to full potential and contribute to national development,” he said. (NAN)