By Muazu Osekalago

A three day Human Interest Story writing and training organized by the ‘D Field Office of United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) ended last week in Kano, the capital of Kano State, with a call on the participants to devote more time to writing human angle stories.

The workshop which drew participants, mostly reporters from the ten states of Bauchi, Nasarawa Plateau, Borno,Yobe, Kano, Gombe, Adamawa, Jigawa and Taraba, stressed the need for media practitioners to champion the cause of children and women through news coverage.

Speaking at the training session, Mr. Geofrey Njokwu of UNICEF, Abuja office who was also one of the resources persons stated that "the media needs to report with vigour, stories that capture the pain of a child, a mother, a family or a community because of illness or disaster".

"As practitioners, you new to influence attitude, behaviour, legislation and opinion so as to set the agenda for children issues through your reporting" Njokwu stated.

Mr. Njokwu stressed the need for the media to give voice to the voiceless through its advocacy role "by writing features, editorials and opinion pieces on the plight of children".

He stated that the mandate of UNICEF included the protection of the rights of children and helping them meet their basic needs as well as expanding the opportunities to reach their full potentials.

According to him, UNICEF was partnering with the media because of the strategies position of the media in influencing legislation as well as influencing opinions and attitudes of political leaders.

Participants at the workshop agreed that the large pool of private sector has to be systematically engaged to contribute to the efforts of government in ensuring safe environment for children.

It would be recalled that UNICEF has an organ whose responsibility is partnering with the media with a view to giving the plight of women and children adequate publicity. The essence is to invoke pity and push readers into action.

Known as the communication component, this organ of UNICEF has been organizing training workshops for media practitioners in all the UNICEF field offices in Nigeria.