By Ahmed Ahmed
Dr Ali-Madina Dankumo, Department of Economic and Development Studies, Federal University Kashere (FUK) Gombe State has urged Journalists to intensify reportage on the sequences of Child Poverty in Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe states.
Dankumo revealed that the World Bank 2023 statistics show that 40 million children in Nigeria are living in Poverty.
Dankumo stated this at a Media dialogue on addressing child poverty held in Gombe state on Tuesday organised by Nations Children’s Education Funds(UNICEF), Bauch I Field Office
Dankumo said that the statistics indicate a Collective action to uplift the social status of the children.
” The role of the media stakeholders in reducing child poverty also should through Investigative journalism, documentaries and news coverage cannot be overemphasized.
” Child poverty depends on the household, which has a direct effect on the child not to access basic needs.
“Media advocacy should be employed by media outlets; monitoring and evaluation of government commitments to support the vulnerable children; promoting platforms for dialogue among stakeholders,” he said.
He listed the causes of child poverty to include; unemployment, low wages, Rapid Population Development, Conflicts, insufficient access to Education and Health, Government policies, bad and governance.
Speaking on the economic effects of child poverty, he revealed that according to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency(NPHCDA 2022), over 6 7 million children lack access to healthcare.
” UNESCO 2023 shows that 20 million children in Nigeria are not in school; Human capital development among others,” he said.
According to him, the media should promote positive narratives in addressing the scourge to encourage stakeholders to buy into prointoessive ideas and implementation strategies from other states