Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji has called on all stakeholders to invest in children’s health, education and protection so as enhance their wellbeing and a bright future.
The governor’s wife made the call in Ado Ekiti at this year’s Children’s Day celebration with the theme “Enhancing the Total Wellbeing of the Nigerian Child through Quality Education and Skill Development”
Dr Oyebanji challenged stakeholders to renew their commitment to children in order to build a future where every child could grow up safe, healthy and empowered to fulfill their potential.
She further explained that giving priority to children’s needs would enhance their holistic development and help them to discover their individual strengths with a view to utilizing them effectively.
“All stakeholders must appreciate the need for qualitative education and skill development of the Nigerian Child. Every child is God’s gift to humanity.
“We must ensure that every child have access to quality healthcare, including essential vaccines, maternal and child health services, and mental health support. We must guarantee every child the right to a quality education, free from discrimination and violence, and equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life,” she emphasised.
The first Lady also requested the Legislative arm of government to enact children friendly laws to safeguard their rights, holding perpetrators of violence and exploitation to account and providing the children with the protection and support they need to thrive.
Dr Oyebanji therefore remarked that the day was dedicated to celebrate the potential, resilience and rights of Nigerian children with a view to also identifying the challenges they face and strategies to addressing them.
She pointed out that the present administration in the state had provided conducive environment at ensuring that every Child was enrolled in school under the Free Education Policy of government from primary to the Secondary School Level.
“The schools have been renovated, well-staffed and provided with furniture and equipments to provide a conducive environment for learning.
“Also, due attention is accorded children with special needs. Therapists and some other professionals have been employed for the three special schools.
“The State Government’s collaboration with development partners and the World Bank for the development of education in the State has been yielding results with Programmes such as the Adolescents Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Innovation, Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) which have greatly enhanced the quality of education and skill development of Ekiti children”. The governor’s wife added.
In a welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Peju Babafemi appreciated government various efforts at enhancing the right of the children in the state through quality education and skills development.
She urged parents, guardians and all stakeholders to instill right values in children and protect them from all forms of abuse, exploitation and violence.
In their goodwill messages, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye; Wife of Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Olori Eyesorun Abosede Adejugbe among others noted that every child was born to excel, hence the need for them to be good representatives of their parents, behave well and shun all violence tendencies stressing that education without manners was meaningless.
Cultural performances, match past and various dances were used to spice up the celebration.
