Leaders seek better welfare, education, enhanced future for children

Leaders including governors, lawmakers and other political office holders have canvassed better welfare, quality education, parental care and attention to guarantee the future of Nigerian children.

They gave the charge on the sidelines of this year’s Children’s Day celebration held yesterday across the country, insisting that a secure future for Nigerian children would determine the quality of leaders, professionals and parents the country would get in future.

In his goodwill message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, admonished children to shun tendencies that could ruin their future. He urged the Nigerian children to remain focused on their education, noting that the future would be theirs secure and keep.

Udom said this year’s theme, “Promoting Girl Child Education for Sustainable Development,” captured a critical component of the Pet Project of Her Excellency, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel in the growth and development of the girl child through Family Empowerment and Youth Re-orientation Path Initiative (FEYReP.)

Also, in statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom assured children of the state that his administration would continue to invest massively in education to guarantee their future.

He reaffirmed the state government’s policy to strengthen education at all levels, saying the ongoing upgrade of facilities in public primary and secondary schools across the state would be sustained to give the Benue child a conducive learning environment.

On his part, Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said his administration would formulate and implement policies that would ensure that no child in the state was abandoned under his governance.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, Governor AbdulRazaq said his administration’s commitment to gender inclusion and its investments in education would give the girl child in the state a head start in life.

His Gombe State counterpart, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, restated his administration’s commitment to prioritise children’s wellbeing and quality education for a brighter future, describing children as the hope and essence of the state and the nation, urging them to look forward to a better tomorrow and remarkable future.

Besides, the Ekiti State government enjoined children to channel their energies and potentials into positive purposes. Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Foluso Daramola, who stated this in Ado Ekiti, said the only way for the Children to appreciate the efforts of the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration was to eschew social vices that could derail their future.

Speaking, Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong described children as the hope of the country and so they deserve love and care to prepare them for the future, as they grow to take over leadership roles.

In Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde reassured children of his administration’s commitment to ensure free and quality education. Governor who spoke through the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran, felicitated with the children in the state on the occasion of this year’s Children’s Day celebration.

In Anambra State, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano charged mothers to use the Children’s Day to show more interest in education and upbringing of their kids, pointing out that this year’s theme was apt, especially with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also, Deputy Speaker, Nigerian Children’s Parliament, Precious Okoli, urged the Federal, state and local governments to pay adequate attention to problems confronting children in the country.

Okoli, who made the plea while speaking on Peoples Voice, a Darling FM programme in Owerri, Imo State, maintained that there were no reasons for governments or parents to abandon responsibilities for the children.

Meanwhile, a chairmanship aspirant for the Ajaokuta Council Area of Kogi State, Salami Abdulraheem Okekenu charged government at all levels to pay special attention to the well-being of children, noting that they remained the future of any nation.