The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced four celebrities who will advocate child rights in Nigeria as its champions.
Ali Nuhu, Kate Henshaw, Waje, and Cobhams Asuquo were among the celebs unveiled on Wednesday during a ceremony in Ikoyi, Lagos.
As champions, the celebrities are entrusted with drawing attention to the challenges that children in Nigeria face in order for “UNICEF to provide hope and lifesaving assistance to the most vulnerable children and adolescents.”
Speaking at the event, Cristian Munduate, the UNICEF representative, said the champions are “individuals with authority and strength in their arts to guarantee children rights”.
She said UNICEF is confident that the selected celebrities will use their platforms to make tangible impacts.
“These are men and women who are champions for their arts, their creativity for Nigerians. Individuals with authority and strength in guarantee of children rights,” she said.
“We have a lot of expectations to build. Dreams that have to become a reality. Translated into complete results for the country. Dedicated to doing it through their platforms. We know they are champions and they have made tangible impacts.”
Also speaking, Waje said she sees the opportunity as “a huge responsibility” to “inspire individuals and communities” through brand awareness.
“I believe we have the power to sit in rooms where decision-makers are. To inspire individuals and communities,” Waje added.
On his part, Cobhams said music should be designed to “culture shape and influence the coming generation”.
The ‘Ordinary’ people hitmaker added that children around the world should be given all the help they can get.
On her part, Henshaw said: “It is high time Nigerians need to be more intentional about decisions. And to also demand accountability from policymakers”.
In his remarks, Nuhu said he intends to change the common narrative of children’s livelihood in the up north.
Nuhu said he would foster partnerships with clergymen in the north to achieve the organisation’s goals.
