Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, wife of Ondo State governor, has called on parents, community leaders, teachers and guardians to protect and uphold the constitutional rights of every child.
Mrs Akeredolu made the call in a statement by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Oluwatobi Fademi, to commemorate Children’s Day on Thursday in Akure.
According to her, it is a momentous day to celebrate the children and make them feel loved, especially after a challenging year with the corinavirus pandemic.
“Even with the global economic challenges, rampant insecurity and inequalities due to the pandemic, no child’s right to life, education, parental care, survival, development, health services and dignity should be denied.
“The children are essential in national development as statistic shows that 40.9 per cent of the Nigerian populace are below age 14.
“So they are vital, and they must be protected and giving all necessary solid foundation as they determine the future of the country,” she said.
She said that educating children was the best way to prepare them for leadership roles and help them to cope with life challenges.
She said that quality education was an important tool for children to take the future with confidence.
“There is no gainsaying that children are the future of the nation.
” Without raising them to be responsible, hardworking and putting them on the path of proper education, the nation’s hope of building a productive and responsible leadership cannot be achieve,” she said.
Mrs Akeredolu said thay the state government would continue to prioritise children’s wellbeing and prepare them for a brighter future.
She also called for eradication of every form of sexual and gender-based violence.
“We live in a society where violence against women,both in action and in speech are still prevalent.
“And for that reason, we cannot stop telling parents that are raising children to play their role in eradicating this menace.
“Preventing sexual violence starts with what we teach our boys.
”Fathers should be of good example to their sons, and mother should not stop teaching them” she said.
Mrs Akeredolu appreciated the teachers and educators for their positive roles in the lives of children.(NAN)
