In commemoration of this year’s Children’s Day Celebration, Comrade Jacob Abraham Damilare has sent felicitation message to children as this day is specially carved out to celebrate them for your unique essence of existence.

Comrade Abraham in his congratulatory message made available to the press, described children as a vessel of honor for which a generation is built upon; they are divine gift that only God can give to mankind, stressing that anyone blessed by God with them should treasure them and guide them jealously through the right path of a better future.

Abraham noted that Parents are the earthly guardian angels of every child and consequent upon this title, parents must remain responsible for them and guide them right on the ways to becoming useful members of the larger human society.

“Parents are the first point of contact to socialization for every child born here on earth and as such, every parent either biological or not, should holistically avail themselves to the nitty gritty of being a responsible role model to their wards for they are the ones to make it easy for the larger system to find it easy to adapt with their wards when they finally come out to socialize with them”.

Parents should not spare the rod and spoil the child in any for because children are fast to holding unto whatsoever they are comfortable with regardless of it being good or bad so long as they are allowed to get away with it. Therefore, parents must always by at alert in giving children the upright upbringing.

Also speaking, Comr. Abraham dolled out encomiums to the leadership of His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State for increasing the budget on Education and for also enacting the Kogi State Education Law.

Abraham noted that section 9 of the Kogi Education Law states it clear that it is an offence in the State for a child of school age not to be in school or hawking during school hours; “If any child is seen hawking or doing anything during school hour, that child shall be apprehended by the special marshals that are already in place till the parent or guardian of such child comes forward to give cogent reason why the child is not in school”. This step taken by the government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello is one that calls for commendation for it is in the favour every child in Kogi State.

He also commended Governor Yahaya Bello for awarding a full time scholarship opportunity to Miss Ize Sezuo, the Kogi State Youngest Table Tennis Player who participated fully and won medal for the State in the just concluded National Table Tennis Championship held in Lagos. He said this scholarship will go a long way in boosting the morales of both the beneficiary and other talented children of Kogi State origin who are making the state proud in their respective areas of interest in sports.

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Thursday, urged children in the state to be focused, disciplined and shun all forms of social devices to make their parents and the nation proud.

Bello gave the advice at a program organised by Kogi Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, to mark the 2021 National Children’s Day, held at Lokoja Confluence stadium.

Bello, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Mrs Afolashade Arike Ayoade, thank God on behalf of the children for keeping them alive and healthy to witness another children’s day.

”We want to appreciate the Almighty God for sparing your lives and preserving you in sound health, mind and mental health to join others all over the world to celebrate the children’s day”, he said

He prayed God to continue to keep the children, while advising them to do their best, shun all forms of social devices, and be disciplined and emulate the governor.

The governor urged the children to be focused and study very hard to become great personalities in life, and make their parents and the state proud.

He further urged the parents to take good care and train their children to have the fear of the Lord, so as to have a great reward.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Fatima Kabir Buba, thanked God for the enablement to celebrate the children’s day without obstruction as experienced in 2020.

According to her, the day was first celebrated in Nigeria in 1964, raising awareness for issues that affect children and to appreciate the fact that they are the future of our societies.

”It is also a special day to recognise honor and appreciate children because they are God’s gift to us. .

”So attention must be paid to their spiritual, emotional, educational and social wellbeing in which the physically challenged children are not also left behind”, Buba said.

She stressed that all children irrespective of their status or situation should enjoy their rights to survival and development as enshrined in the Child Rights Acts (CRA 2003).

She added: ”It is on this note that I welcome everyone once again to celebrate with our future, our pride on this auspicious occasion”.

The highlights of activities to mark the children’s day was the Match past parades and ethnic cultural dance by children from primary and secondary schools across Lokoja metropolis.

Police Children Primary School, and Teachers Home International College, Lokoja, emerged first position in match past in primary and secondary categories respectively.

One of the students, Tosin John, thanked the state government and the ministry of women affairs, for organising a befitting activities for them to celebrate tgw children’s say in a grand style.

In his vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Joseph Akele, thanked the Governor for the privilege to hold the 2021 children’s day, which had not been held since 2016 in the state.

The National Children’s Day is celebrated every May 27, to raise awareness on children’s rights and wellbeing.

This year’s theme is ”Effect Of COVID-19 Pandemic On The Total Wellbeing Of The Nigerian Child! The Way Forward”.