United Nations Children Fund has stressed the need for media organisations in the country to focus more in sensitizing members of the public on the dangers of Covid 19 and the importance of taking the vaccines.
The Chief of UNICEF Kano and Sokoto field offices, Mr Maulid Warfa
stated this during an advocacy meeting with the Chief Executive officers of Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria BON from North West States on Covid 19 Vaccination and other health issues in Kaduna.
Mr Warfa represented by the UNICEF Communication Development Specialist, Kano Office, Dr Rufus Eshuchi
stressed, that, Covid 19 Vaccination is ongoing, emphasized the need for more people to be aware in order to get vaccinated.
According to him, all hand must be on deck to ensure that the aim is achieved.
“We are meeting with Chief Executive officers of Broadcasting Organizations from North Western Nigeria to give them more information on Covid 19 Vaccination so that they can use their various channel to educate the public about the importance”
Mr Maulid Warfa said every media organisation have a duty to educate and enlighten Nigerians on the need get vaccinated.
Also Speaking, Communication Specialist, UNICEF Nigeria, Kano Office Mr Samuel Kaalu explained that, the objective of the meeting was to properly educate the participants on Covid 19 disease and the ongoing campaigns across the country with a view for media practitioners to help in sensitizing people to take the vaccines and take other preventive measures.
Mr Kaalu maintained that, the central message was that, Covid 19 vaccines are safe while Nigerians should go and take it.
He described radio as a powerful medium that can reach out millions of people with vital information and urged Chief Executives of the Broadcasting Organizations not to relent in their giant efforts in sensitizing Nigerians.
In his presentation on Understanding the Science of Covid 19 vaccine, a Senior Lecturer with Bayero University Kano, Dr Murtala Jibrin disclose that, any person vaccinated against Covid 19 has about hundred percent assurance of protection.
In a remark, the Chairman of the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria, Hajiya Sa’a Ibrahim said lack of desseminating vital and correct information on Covid 19, can cause panic in the society.
Hajiya Sa’a Ibrahim noted that, various media organisations had played vital in producing jingles by sensitizing public on Covid 19 and urged them to sustain it.
She called on the media practitioners to ensure correct informations regarding Covid 19 are desseminated to members of the public.
Hajiya Sa’a Ibrahim also commeded UNICEF for organizing the advocacy meeting.
The Zonal Director, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Malam Buhari Auwalu and General Managers of various Radio and Television Stations from States of the North West attended the meeting.
COV/AMINU DALHATU