By Chigozie Chukwuleta
The Nnamdi Azikiwe University National Summit on Child Rights Act began today with a workshop for journalists.
The workshop aimed at mobilising Journalists to be ready for the campaign to provide access to the digital space for children took place at Chile Okoli Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies Hall, Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
Declaring the workshop open, the Acting Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Carol Arinze-Umeobi appreciated the efforts of UNICEF towards hosting the summit which is the first of such in Nigeria.
The Vice Chancellor who was represented by the Director, Academic Planning UNIZIK, Prof Angela Ufele-Obiesie said that today’s global concern on Child rights sprouted from the aversion of the vulnerabilities to which children were exposed in Europe during the second World war.
According to her, the intendment of Child Rights Act which was passed into law in Nigeria in 2003 is the projection of the best interest of the child.
In her lead paper titled ‘The Role Of The Nigerian Media In Bridging The Urban And Rural Divide For Children In The Digital Age’, Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna enjoined journalists to be internet savvy and use their power to help children enjoy their rights as enshrined in the law including access to the digital space.
She charged them as gatekeepers to open doors of access to quality information in the digital space and shut the door firmly against anybody that works against children’s access to digital space.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor Paul University said that while it is good to protect the children from harmful contents, they should not be overshadowed from getting relevant information as the digital space opens up new opportunities for them.
Also speaking, the Registrar, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Mr Sam Ufoh represented by the Deputy Registrar (Records), Dr Blessing Ezeafulukwe appealed to journalists to use their robust power to create an environment for equal opportunities for the rural and urban children in the digital space.
In his remark, the Head, Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Allen Adum called for a targeted drive for implementation of the campaign by making it practicable.
Giving his vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Summit Local Organising Committee, Dr Obiorah Edogor thanked participants for making the workshop an engaging event.
A six man committee was set up to draft a template for ideal Child Rights Reporting in Nigeria.
The Summit continues tomorrow at the University Auditorium
