As the world marked the 2024 Children’s Day celebration on Monday, President Bola Tinubu, National Assembly leadership and governors have committed to providing a better future for Nigerian children, Vanguard newspaper reports.
Children’s Day, celebrated annually on May 27, is a day to honour children worldwide and for adults to reminisce about their childhood experiences.
President Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said the administration would spare no effort in ensuring Nigeria’s children have a solid foundation for realising their dreams.
He, therefore, called for the preservation of principles that would foster a wholesome, nurturing, and thriving nation.
“President Bola Tinubu celebrates Nigeria’s children, the bearers of the nation’s torch into the future, on the special occasion of Children’s Day.
“The president rejoices with parents, guardians, and families across the nation, and calls for a reinforcement of the family unit as a place where the sacred values of honesty, modesty, hard work and charity are passed down to the shining lights of tomorrow.
“President Tinubu affirms that society is a reflection of each family unit as a collective, urging the preservation of those principles that make us a wholesome, nurturing, and thriving nation,” the statement said.
The president also reassured the nation of his commitment to providing a safe and secure learning environment for children, while enhancing the quality of education.
“The president states that his administration is sparing no effort in ensuring that Nigeria’s children have a solid footing for the realisation of their dreams.
“With increased investments in education, and the recent overhaul of the entire education system to provide both human and material resources for learning, as well as the efforts of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education to get the nation’s precious gifts off the streets, the president emphasises that his administration will continue to expand access to qualitative education for all Nigerians.
“President Tinubu reassures the nation of his commitment to ensuring a safe and secure ambience of learning for the children while improving the standard of education,” the statement added.
Speaking on the occasion, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Monday, pledged the commitment of the 10th parliament to the formulation of laws for the protection of the Nigerian child.
He also called for better welfare and protection of the Nigerian child by the government, parents, guardians, teachers, clerics, and other stakeholders in the society.
He stated that society, and not just the parents, had a role to play in bringing up the total development of the child as it was many years ago.
A statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, quoted Abbas as calling on the government across all tiers “to make Nigerian children have unfettered access to education,” while urging parents to support authorities in this regard.
The speaker commended state governments that have domesticated and are enforcing the Child Rights Act while urging others to take the bold step to follow suit.
Similarly, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, reiterated the commitment of the parliament to the protection of the basic rights of children.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Press Affairs, Udora Orizu, he noted that Nigerian children had great potential which, if harnessed, would be of advantage to the country and generations to come.
“Today, we celebrate all children across the nation and beyond, recognising the joy and innocence they bring into our lives. On this day, we reaffirm our commitment to uphold and protect the basic rights of every child, ensuring their safety, education, and well-being. We will continue to strive towards a brighter future where every child can thrive.
“We are reminded that children are the future leaders of the society and it’s our responsibility to raise the next generation of leaders by teaching the children their innate worth and goodness, by helping them see within themselves the great power and potential they have. Happy Children’s Day,” he said.
The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment where every child in the state could thrive and fulfil dreams.
The governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, at the celebration held at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, said education was at the heart of the government’s efforts to uplift children in the state, to prepare them for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
The programme had its theme, “Enhancing the total well-being of Nigerian children through quality education and skills development.”
“Our commitment to investing in our children’s well-being and future success is at the front burner of this administration; that is why social welfare and well-being, quality education and human-capital development are uppermost in our ISEYA developmental pillar,” the governor said.
He appreciated the Office of the First Lady of Ogun State, Ministries of Women Affairs and Social Development; Education, Science and Technology; Youth and Sports Development and other key agencies contributing to the development and care of the children in the state.
In Anambra State, Governor Chukwuma Soludo affirmed that investment in the education sector was yielding positive results across the state.
Soludo, at the 2024 Children’s Day celebration in Awka, on Monday, also reiterated his administration’s commitment to investing more in the education sector.
He said Anambra remained the state with the lowest record of out-of-school children in Nigeria, attributing it to the huge investment of his government in education.
He also commended the teachers for their commitment to training the children, while assuring them that his administration would not lower the bar in the recruitment of teachers.
“We are here to celebrate our future, our future and others who were not able to join us here. This is the third time I have witnessed Children’s Day since I assumed office, but this is the largest I have seen so far.
“I can see the glorious future of Anambra and Nigeria as we behold their faces. We are deliberately investing in our children, who are our bridge for skills needed here and exporting them.
“In two years, we have employed over 8,000 teachers because the children are our greatest asset. Currently, Anambra has the lowest out-of-school children in the country. We are targeting making it zero, Anambra children deserve the best.
“We are having sleepless nights because of you. Roads will wash away, skyscrapers will collapse, but investment in children will stand the test of time,” he said.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, on Monday, said his administration was investing much in the education sector because “it is key to the upbringing of a child.”
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, at the Children’s Day celebration in Asaba, the governor said apart from providing fit-for-purpose faculties and facilities in schools, his administration had also recruited more than 2,000 teachers.
“My beloved children of Delta State, I am happy to be in your midst today, a day set aside to celebrate you. Today also allows for stock-taking on measures taken thus far as it concerns your well-being.
“It serves to reawaken our resolve to put in our best efforts to articulate policies and programmes meant to protect your interests and prepare you for a bright future.
“As a government, we are well aware of the positive impact of education on the development of our children… We have recruited more than 2,000 teachers in both the primary and secondary schools in the state. To further increase access to education, we have expanded the capacity of some of our tertiary institutions.
“We have also paid bursary awards to all our students in tertiary institutions nationwide. We hope it will help to ameliorate the difficulties they may be facing considering the present economic challenges…
“Dear children, I assure you that despite the present challenges, this administration will continue to take concrete actions, which will positively impact your future,” he said.
The wife of the governor, Tobore Oborevwori, had earlier thanked parents and teachers for their efforts in ensuring the proper upbringing of the children.
The Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, speaking at the celebration held at Gani Fawehinmi Arcade in Akure, declared war against child abusers in the state.
He said his administration was resolute in its stand to prosecute those who abused children.
The governor expressed displeasure over the way children had been subjected to violence and sexual exploitation by some adults, especially those expected to care for and protect them.
“It is, however, quite disheartening to note that many of our children have been subjected to violence and sexual exploitation by some adults who are supposed to care for them and protect them.
“This is highly unacceptable and we shall continue to put up a serious fight against these inhuman and ungodly practices by some unscrupulous elements in the society,” he said.
Governor Aiyedatiwa urged the children to be security conscious and vigilant at all times, by avoiding bad companies and isolated places that could easily make them objects of attacks.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, on Monday, reiterated his administration’s commitment to prioritising the rights, welfare, education, security, and safety of children in the state.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Mainstream Media, Dan Nwomeh, to mark the Children’s Day, the governor said he was focused on protecting the rights of every child and making sure children of school age had access to quality basic education.
This, he said, would inspire them to express their creativity in science, technology, art, and music, and make their voices heard in society.
“Children are an essential part of our society. Without them, there will not be a transition to a greater tomorrow. They mirror the outlook of our future, and the tomorrow we want to bequeath to them. We are, therefore, committed to ensuring that their rights, which are fundamental to my administration, are protected,” he said.
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State promised that his administration would continue to invest in children’s growth and development.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the governor described the children as the heartbeat of the future of the country.
At the 2024 Children’s Day celebration, which was supported by Save the Children International, with the theme: “Investing in our children means investing in our future,” the governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Faruk Lawal, said: “Children are the heartbeat of our future. From them, we have teachers, doctors, engineers, and other professionals.
“It is the responsibility of the administration to ensure that these children have the right environment to grow, learn and become the best persons who would contribute to the development of the society.
“Our future depends on your dreams and the steps you take to achieve the dreams.”
The Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, in a message on Monday, lauded the resilience, dedication, and unwavering determination of the Nigerian children in the pursuit of their lofty aspirations, despite the challenges they encounter in their educational journey.
“As the vanguards of tomorrow and the architects of Nigeria’s future, Governor Mutfwang emphasised that children are divine gifts deserving of unwavering care, guidance, and support from parents, government, and policymakers, to foster an environment that is conducive to their holistic development,” he stated.
He urged parents to embrace their role as primary nurturers of the children by instilling the values of integrity and godliness in them, while advocating for mentorship under the guidance of teachers and altruistic individuals, to collectively nurture a society imbued with moral rectitude and devoid of crime.
The governor warned perpetrators of child trafficking, child labour, violence against children, or any form of abuse of the uncompromising stance of his administration, promising swift and decisive action against such transgressors.
An aide to the Osun State Governor, Olaniyi Akinloye, on Monday, distributed piggy banks and notebooks to over 1,000 pupils to mark the Children’s Day.
Speaking at the event held in Gbongan, where the items were presented to beneficiaries drawn from primary and secondary schools in the Ayedaade Local Government Area, Akinloye said the piggy banks distributed to secondary school pupils were meant to instil in them the habit of saving when they have more than they need.
“By the gesture of today, it will encourage them for the future. We are having technological and craft training for them too,” he said.
The Bible Society of Nigeria has, therefore, lamented the dilapidated school structures across the country, saying that this constituted a threat to the qualitative education that would help the children to turn out to be the best in life
The Chairman, BSN, Egba, Yewa and Awori Area, Ogun State, Dr Bashiru Ojo, speaking at a programme held at the Living Word Church International, Lafenwa, Abeokuta, to celebrate the Children’s Day, said, “As we celebrate this year’s Children’s Day, it is just appropriate to call on the government to attend to the dilapidated school structures.
“It is saddening that many of our schools are ramshackle and this is where we use to train our children. It may be difficult to produce the kind of children we want, we will just be producing vagabonds in such an environment.
“This was not how the schools were in those days, so the governments must increase their investment in the development of our school structures. The funding for education must be used for what is meant for, like training of the teachers and providing good structures in our schools that will make learning more conducive”
The programme, which attracted over 500 children, was supported by Jofunmi Loving Heart Foundation.
Meanwhile, the Idimuwem Peace and Governance Initiative has called on Nigerians to build children’s capacity for peace and effective conflict management.
The Convener of IPGI Peace Art Competition, Uduak-Abasi Akpabio, who made the call at the launch of the Peace Tale Competition Nigeria 2024, in Abuja, on Monday, said children remained an important element for peace in Nigeria in the long term.
Akpabio stressed that children, aged eight to 10 years, could indeed engage in issues of peace and conflict, adding that if the nation must build capacity for peace and effective conflict management, it had to start early and start with children and the young people.
“We realise the importance of starting early to build capacity among our citizens for peace, effective conflict management and good governance.
“Yes, there’s a lot of stabilisation work going on in places that had violent conflicts to stabilise the country, but we realise that an important element in the long term to build capacity for peace and effective conflict management is to start early and to start with children and young people.
“That’s one of the mandates and initiatives of IPGI; the peace art competition is targeted at children aged eight to 10 years. We realise that children can indeed engage in issues of peace and conflict. We can build the capacity of children, but we need to use a medium that children understand and engage with and would enjoy,” Akpabio said.
Earlier, a representative of the Embassy of Belgium in Nigeria, Chilotam Chibundu, stressed that the goal of peace was shared by artists of all ages, and by diplomats, stating that “when the guns are silenced, diplomats negotiate and sign the peace.”
Chibundu, who is also the Political and Economic Officer at the embassy, said art was essential in depicting peace even at the United Nations level.
