Lai Mohammed, minister of information calls on the media to allow children to air their views on March 3 as part of the celebration of 2019 International Children’s Day of Broadcasting

AS THE world celebrates the 2019 International Children’s Day of Broadcasting, ICDB, on Sunday, March 3,  Lai Mohammed , minister of information and culture, has called on the media to open airwaves to the children for this year’s celebration to air their views on issues that concern them.

In Nigeria, as in other countries, most stations will give control of their operations to children, who will take part in newscasts, productions and presentations. Articles 12 and 14 of the UN Convention on the Riqhts 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 Day of Broadcasting tries to realize. The theme for this year’s celebration is “End Malnutrition: Protect the future of the Nigerian child”.

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 Survival and Development as enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, CRC, and the Child Rights Act (CRA) 2003.

“Mohammed calls on the Media to give Nigerian children the opportunity to commemorate this year’s ICDB by making their platforms available for children irrespective of their status, location, ability or disability a chance to promote their rights and to contribute to national development.

“The ICDB 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 International Children’s Day of Broadcasting since 1992.

“We therefore enjoin Broadcasters to open airwaves to the children for this year’s celebration,” a press release signed by Olumide Osanyinpeju, deputy director, head, Advocacy, CRIB, said.

– Feb. 21, 2019 @ 2:05 GMT |