UNICEF: Journalists must hold governments to Account on Children’s Funds

UNICEF: Journalists must hold governments to Account on Children’s Funds

By Hajara Usman

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged journalists in Bauchi, Gombe and Plateau States to monitor government spending on children and hold public officials accountable.

The UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Bauchi, Dr Nuzhat Rafiq, made the call during a one-day media dialogue on Public financing for children organised by the Bauchi State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination in collaboration with the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office.

Represented by UNICEF Education Specialist, Abdulrahman Ado, said journalists had an important role to play in improving government budgets, ensuring the timely release of funds and monitoring the implementation of programmes for children and women.

She urged journalists to use the current political and election period to question politicians about their plans for children, how the plans would be funded and how the money would reach vulnerable children and communities.

Rafiq said many children were still out of school, while malnutrition, poor healthcare services and limited access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene continued to affect families.

She stressed the need for non-partisan reporting that focuses on children’s rights, government commitments, public funding and measurable results rather than political personalities or affiliations.

Also speaking, UNICEF Social Policy Specialist, Yusuf Auta, said investment in children should begin from conception and continue throughout childhood.

Auta said proper funding was particularly important for maternal and newborn healthcare, adding that every child had the right to be born in a safe and healthy environment.

He expressed concern that government budgets often give insufficient attention to children from birth to 18 years, despite children making up more than half of the population.

Auta urged journalists to go beyond reporting budget allocations by tracking when funds are released, how they are used and the results achieved.

He said the media could help change the situation by holding governments accountable and ensuring that budget commitments resulted in real improvements in children’s lives.

UNICEF: Journalists must hold governments to Account on Children’s Funds