Children’s Day: Group urges Govt, parent to prioritise education
A Non-governmental Organisation (NGO), Smile Givers Charity Initiative, has urged governments and parents to prioritise education as every child deserves a chance for a better future.
Mr Seyi Adebiyi, a member of the group, stated this at an event organised by the group to commemorate the 2022 Children’s Day in Ibadan on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group gathered over 100 children at Power of Faith Gospel Mission Church, in Akanran Area, Olorunsogo, Ibadan to celebrate Children’s Day, with the theme: “Hope Alive”.
Adebiyi noted that children were being celebrated globally to show how important they were in any society.
“A time has come in our society when we should start taking the children more seriously because they are not just the future but are relevant in the present.
“We should not be weary in training them, in teaching them, and in grooming them for a better future and a progressive world,” he said.
Adebiyi urged stakeholders in the lives of children to do their best to ensure that they stay on the right track, and not get involved in vices that will mar their future.
Also, Pastor Samuel Awe, in an interview with NAN enjoined everyone to collaborate to build people, and not run after material gains.
He noted that well-meaning Nigerians and good-spirited people should ensure that children were well catered for especially regarding academics.
Awe urged parents to have quality time for their children, and not leave them all in the hands of a caregiver.
“I want to encourage parents to have quality time with their children. Give them local intelligence, train them about Jesus Christ, and the rudiments of the Bible,” he said.
Some of the children at the event, Iretomiwa Abiodun and Michael Akinloye expressed their gratitude to Smile Givers Charity Initiative, for making it a memorable one.
Akinloye, however, called on the government to assist children who were out of school to get a formal education, so that they can learn how to speak and write.