The United Children’s Nation Fund (UNICEF) has partnered Nigerian celebrities as its champions to drive the needed change and provide hope for the vulnerable and adolescent children.
Speaking at the event on Wednesday which held at Ikoyi, Lagos, Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Nigeria Representative, said the champions would serve as powerful voices on amplifying issues around child right in Nigeria.
Munduate announced the appointment of the celebrities in the music, entertainment, film industry among who are Cobhams Asuquo, Waje, Kate Henshaw and Ali Nuhu as UNICEF champions for a period of 12 months.
“They are essential to bring attention to the difficulties children in Nigeria and other countries are experiencing.
“The idea is to promote awareness and organise supports, UNICEF champions give their time. Over the course of the next year, these champions will work together with UNICEF to elevate pressing concerns related to children.
“The spanning sectors such as health, education, nutrition, child protection, water sanitation, and hygiene will be given priority,” she said.
The UNICEF Representative in Nigeria also praised the commitment and unmatched influence of the champions, noting that the collaboration symbolises a bridge between the commitment to child rights and the power of art and storytelling through music, film, and public engagement.
She passionately expressed that, “we hope to touch hearts, shift perspectives, and inspire action. We are truly elated to join hands with such influential voices in the entertainment industry; Waje, Asuquo, Henshaw and Nuhu.
“Their dedication and passion for children’s rights will undeniably amplify the urgency of the issues we fight for daily.”
Similarly, the champions engaged in numerous initiatives and campaigns designed to ensure every child’s right survival, growth, development, and protection is upheld and championed.
Henshaw said, “Every Nigeria child will get from all of us a chance of life and become a better individual that can contribute positively to the nation and environment as a whole.”
Nuhu said, “There is need for collaboration across the zones, maybe through songs like national anthem or campaign to drive the message.”
Asuquo, a visually impaired in his remark, said he was able to attain his personality due to the attention he received during his formative years, saying there is need to give back.
He expressed determination to leverage the platform of UNICEF champions to shape lives of not only the Nigeria children but children across the world.
“It is my/our responsibility to as people in the space that we are in to use the art form and gift that we are blessed with to touch lives in the young generation.
“It is our duty to pass on the touch to young generation who heavily relied on our personalities on the UNICEF platform because that is the only way that we can grow and sustain development.”
Asuquo, also a UNICEF Ambassador, acknowledged that there are lots of flaws endemic in the system, but said “in places where things have worked, people use their art forms as what we have now to influence positively.”
