By Nefishetu Yakubu
The Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies(NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, has launched the “Build and Secure the Future Today” initiative ( BSFT) to commemorate the 2026 Children’s Day celebration in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme brought together secondary and primary school students across the FCT for sessions on leadership development, civic education, democratic participation and national development.
Represented by the Director of Legal Services, Dr Shuaibu Danwanka, Sulaiman described the initiative as a strategic investment aimed at preparing Nigerian youths for responsible leadership and active citizenship roles.
He stated that NILDS remained committed to strengthening democratic institutions through youth engagement, civic awareness and leadership development initiatives in partnership with relevant stakeholders.
Ms Chinelo Amaechina, Senior Gender Equality Manager, Plan International, a non-profit organisation at the event, said the organisation remained committed to promoting children’s rights, equality, education and youth inclusion programmes.
Amaechina said the organisation also focused on education, healthcare, youth empowerment and leadership programmes designed to equip young people with skills for national development and governance.
She explained that the organisation operated youth advisory panels and leadership initiatives which enables young people to contribute directly to programme development, monitoring, evaluation and policy implementation.
“We also organises annual “Girl Takeover” initiatives, allowing girls to assume leadership roles temporarily and gain practical governance experience.”
Amaechina said the 2026 Children’s Day theme emphasised inclusion, protection and education for every Nigerian child, regardless of background, social status or geographical location.
She added that the organisation collaborated with schools, caregivers and governments to provide educational materials, support volunteer teachers and ensure safe learning environments for children.
Also, the representative of the FCT Secondary Education Board, Mohammed Buka, described the programme as timely and commendable for promoting leadership, responsibility and national development among students.
Buka said the board remained committed to providing students with resources, mentorship opportunities and values necessary for peaceful coexistence, responsible citizenship, and national growth.
He encouraged participating students to maximise opportunities provided by the initiative through learning, networking and building relationships capable of shaping their futures positively.
Also speaking, Emily Ikhide, Head of Gender and Inclusivity Unit at NILDS, said Nigeria’s future depended largely on empowering young people through leadership development programmes.
Ikhide said the initiative was conceived following discussions on Africa’s developmental challenges and the need to deliberately prepare younger generations for transformational leadership responsibilities.
She explained that the programme sought to provide practical leadership exposure for students beyond theoretical classroom teachings commonly delivered within the conventional educational curriculum.
According to her, the initiative would create sustainable platforms for training students in governance, civic responsibility and nation-building from an early stage of development.
Ikhide said the programme aimed to build a pool of disciplined and visionary youths capable of contributing meaningfully to governance, public service and democratic leadership.
She urged stakeholders, schools and development partners to support the initiative to reduce youth involvement in social vices and strengthen future national leadership structures.
NAN also reports that the event was organised in collaboration with Plan International and the FCT Secondary Education Board as part of activities marking the 2026 Children’s Day celebrations(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)
NY/MAM/FEO
Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Francis Onyeukwu
