Every Nigerian child has a future that must not be truncated, but harnessed impeccably and be protected.
These were the assertions of dignitaries in attendance at the Children’s Day Carnival, hosted by the FCT Tourism Volunteers Network on Tuesday in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
Organiser of the event and founder, Icherry Travels and Global Concepts, Dr. Charity Akpamgbo described how passionate it is to work towards the development of the Nigerian child, emphasising the importance of how children can be trained in the right way to be great future leaders.
Speaking on the theme of the event, which is One Voice, One Nation, Dr. Akpamgbo pointed out that the aim is to respect every culture in the country.
“We are trying to make the youth walk together as one so that in the future and present, we will continue to strive to build a better united nation that will grow in peace and harmony”, she said.
Prof. Ambassador Ajibade Michael, founder, Rising International University, Ekiti State said the future of the Nigerian child must be protected and not truncated, citing an example of “a little kid killed in Ibadan, Oyo State.
“We need to be careful because these children are our future. Everyone of them has a very great career ahead of them”, he stated.
Special Guest at the celebration, Mrs. Titilayo Alayinde, Director, Quality Assurance, representing the Mandate Secretary for Education, FCT Education Secretariat, Dr. Danlami Ayo said children must show a deal of responsiblity, with the government providing a suitable platform for their education.
“They are our world and every hands must be on deck to ensure that they are taken good care of”, she affirmed.
While commending the FCT Tourism Volunteers Network, and the Department of Tourism of the Social Development Secretariat for being pivotal on the wellbeing of children and for celebrating them in such creative way, Mrs. Titilayo admitted that events like this not only bring joy to the children, but “reinforce our collective roles for national development”.
“This is a robust development for the educational growth of our children, specifically, giving them the best of education and opportunities to compete globally, boosting their egos to achieve more”, she concluded.
Dr. Mrs. Olusunde O. K, from the Department of Quality Assurance, FCT Education Secretariat, representing the Director of the Department, emphasized on the roles of Nigerian parents in the lives of children, describing them as unquestionable. She called for more of the right attitude to be infused in them. “Be more interested in their education because, we are here to enforce quality education in our schools. When parents invest more in education, it will be well with Nigeria”, she enumerated.
Mrs. Benjamin Gloria Mwuese, Visual Arts Teacher, Government Secondary School, Jabi, Abuja, urged children to concentrate and know what the future holds for them, with many youth going astray already in the society.
“When we celebrate them, they will come to terms with their worth. Many kids today are dropouts but, they need to be trained by both parents and schools”, she emphasized.
Mrs. Blessing Oyem, Director, Youth Engagement and Inclusion, National Orientation Agency, said with the children, there’s hope. However, character need to be shown in them that will depict a new Nigeria, one that is patriotic.
She also encouraged children to be firm in their educational pursuit to make the country stronger and great.
Diverse cultural displays were on show as the children representing their respective schools revel in their culture. There was also a football match between El Amin International School and Government Secondary School, Jabi, and lots of other fun activities.