The United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) delivered critical aid to nearly 600,000 severely malnourished children in Northeast Nigeria while also vaccinating 1.2 million children with the pentavalent vaccine and administering cholera vaccines to 1.6 million people in the region in 2024.
The achievements were highlighted by Mr. Joseph Senesie, Officer-in-Charge of UNICEF’s Maiduguri Field Office, during a one-day refresher training on ethical journalism and child rights reporting.
The event, organised Tuesday by the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in collaboration with UNICEF, took place in Damaturu, Yobe state.
The media dialogue aimed to enhance journalists’ understanding of child rights issues, focused on the four key pillars: survival, development, protection, and participation. Participants were also trained on sensitive and ethical reporting concerning stigma, sexual violence, and abuse.
Mr. Senesie noted that over 500,000 children under five received birth registration support from UNICEF and its partners. Additionally, 500,000 children in Borno and Yobe accessed formal and non-formal education, while 32,215 previously unvaccinated (“zero-dose”) children received lifesaving immunisations.
He stated that despite progress, major gaps persist. Only 30% of children in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa have birth registrations, and nearly 2 million children remain out of school. Twelve local government areas in Borno and Yobe still report high numbers of unvaccinated children.
He said the training stated the media’s responsibility in shaping public discourse through accurate and ethical reporting. As the “fourth estate of the realm,” journalists play a vital role in highlighting both successes and gaps in child welfare to drive policy improvements.
“UNICEF, alongside government partners, remains committed to improving nutrition, sanitation, and education for conflict-affected children in the Northeast. The organisation urged journalists to amplify these efforts through independent, high-quality reporting.
“We are confident this training will enhance child rights coverage in the region,” said Mr. Senesie.