ONDO STATE GOVERNMENT CELEBRATES CHILDREN IN A GRAND STYLE.
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) (CON) has reiterated the commitment of his administration towards child protection and well-being through productive initiatives in the state.
He stated this at the grand finale of the 2023 National Children’s Day Celebration held at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Square, Alagbaka, Akure.
Represented by the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Otunba Bamidele Ologun, Akeredolu felicitated all the children that have excelled and promoted the image of the state and the parents and guardians who are committed stakeholders in the care, upbringing and education of an average child in the state.
The Governor said as a government, it has tackled many security challenges of children leading to pupils and students winning laurels per excellence for the state recently.
He therefore enjoined parents and guardians to complement all these children life-saving initiatives of the government, while the children must be responsible and responsive to future achievements.
Earlier in her welcome address, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr (Mrs) Olubunmi Oshadahun informed that the idea of a universal Children’s Day was mobbed in 1954 by Rubab Mansoor and adopted by the United Nations to celebrate the importance of children and imperatives to their nearest societies and the world at large.
The day she said was first observed in Nigeria in 1964 aimed at celebrating children, appreciating their being as the future of the societies and raising awareness on issues affecting them and equally appreciate responsible wards, children, parents and guardians.
According to her, a nation can only be developed to an optimum level by providing a safe conducive and enabling environment free of danger, abuse, neglect, violence among others to children.
The Commissioner affirmed that the state scorecard is uniquely of high percentage success being the only stare in Nigeria that has provision for the well-being of a neonate to adulthood through Solayo-safe motherhood project to pensioners’ entitlements.
Dr Oshadahun noted that the 2023 theme is unique as it centred around children well-being and the motto of the day which are “keep children innocent today, tomorrow and forever”, children are the key to paradise, children are the future of our nation, adding that they are the ones to keep the world in motion.
While stressing the need to provide a blue print for child’s development, she said wise parents must observe, monitor and be involved in all stages and note all socio-psycho presentations of the child for solutions.
Highlight of the occasion included March/Cultural parade, special rendition, prayer for the nation and children, presentation of speeches on the theme by students, gifts presentation, exhibition of inventions among others.
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