CHILDREN’S DAY: UNICEF, STUDENTS EDUCATIONISTS, GOVT REPS INSIST ON IMPROVED CARE OF CHILDREN

REPORTER: EMEFIENA OKONKWO

On the occasion of Children’s Day in Enugu State, some children and key stakeholders at national and international engagements want government to scale up interventions on child health, education as well as protection of children from violence.

According to them, government should show sincere committment towards a society free from discrimination, abuse and neglect of every child.

The children, Chiagozie Nwafor, Chukwubuikem Ezeka and Chioma Eze, while noting that they were happy for the celebration, urged governments to address incidences of child abuse and tracfficking, prevalent in the society today.

They equaly called on parents and guardians to take care of the needs of their children and wards as well as support them in their accademic pursuit.

Still speaking on this year’s celebration, the Chief of Field Office, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Enugu, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, stressed the importance of paying attention to physical, psychological, developmental and overall wellbeing of children.

Mrs. Chiluwe noted that children were special gifts from God and as such deserved to be nurtured and treated with love.

Also, in separate submissions, educationists, Dr. Ezeikel Nnadi and Dr. Vero Mogboh, called on governments to ensure capacity building of teachers and head teachers so as to impact the necessary knowledge on pupils and students.

They equaly called for more government supervisory roles in schools as well as the provision of learning materials in schools.

The Director of Administration, Enugu State Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Uzoamaka Okenwa-Uzoechina, while advising the children to be of good conduct, equally encouraged them to be diligent in their studies.

Another stakeholder and Permanent Member I, Enugu State Universal Basic Education, ESUBEB, Pastor Beloved-Dan Anike said the state government had plans to establish public schools in new layouts for more school enrollments while the free Basic Education policy of the state government had reduced financial burden on parents.

Pastor Anike, who is a youth advocate, advised children, especially those in post primary schools, to embrace skills and creativity for self actualization.

As part of activities to mark the 2023 Children’s Day, the Enugu State Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development with support from UNICEF organized a programme with the theme, “The State of Nigeria Children Today: Proper Parenting for Value Orientation and National Consciousness.”

There was also cutting of cake and a mock Enugu State House of Assembly plenary sitting by the children.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU