By Correspondent in Lokoja
As Nigerian children joined their colleagues to mark May 27, their day on Thursday,Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Thursday, urged children in the state to be focused, disciplined and shun all forms of social devices, to make their parents and the nation proud.
Bello gave the advice at a programme organised by Kogi Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, to mark the 2021 National Children’s Day, held at Lokoja Confluence stadium.
Bello, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Mrs Afolashade Arike Ayoade, thanked God on behalf of the children, for keeping them alive and healthy to witness another children’s day.
”We want to appreciate the Almighty God for spearing your lives and preserving you in sound health, mind and mental health to join others all over the world to celebrate the children’s day,” he said
He also prayed God to continue to keep the children while advising them to do their best, shun all forms of social devices, and be disciplined and emulate the governor.
The governor urged the children to be focused and study very hard to become great personalities in life, and make their parents and the state proud.
He further urged the parents to take good care and train their children to have the fear of the Lord, so as to have a great reward.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Fatima Kabir Buba, thanked God for the enablement to celebrate the children’s day without obstruction as experienced in 2020.
She recalled that the day was first celebrated in Nigeria in 1964, aimed at raising awareness for issues that affect children and to appreciate the fact that they are the future of “our societies”.
”It is also a special day to recognise, honor and appreciate children, because they are God’s gift to us. .
”So, attention must be paid to their spiritual, emotional, educational and social wellbeing in which the physically challenged children are not also left behind”, Buba said.
She stressed that all children, irrespective of their status or situation, should enjoy their rights to survival and development as enshrined in the Child Rights Acts (CRA 2003).
She added: ”It is on this note that I welcome everyone once again to celebrate with our future, our pride on this auspicious occasion”.
Highlights of activities to marking the event were the Match past parades and ethnic cultural dance by children from primary and secondary schools across Lokoja metropolis.
Police Children Primary School, and Teachers Home International College, Lokoja, emerged first position in match past in primary and secondary categories respectively.
Miss Tosin John,who spoke on behalf of her colleagues, thanked the state government and the ministry of women affairs for organising befitting activities to mark the day in grand style.
In his vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Joseph Akele, thanked the Governor for the privilege to hold the 2021 children’s day, which he noted had not been held since 2016 in the state.
The Reporters reports that National Children’s Day is celebrated every May 27 to raise awareness on children’s rights and wellbeing.
This year’s theme is ”Effect Of COVID-19 Pandemic On The Total Wellbeing Of The Nigerian Child! The Way Forward,”
