Children's Day - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Ismail Abdulaziz
May, Wed, 2025

Children’s Day: Tinubu reaffirms commitment to Children’s Rights

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By Daniel Obaje

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the rights and welfare of Nigerian children, as the country marked Children’s Day 2025.

He also called for a bully-free generation and enhanced child protection measures at all levels.

Represented by the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mahmoud Mariya, on Tuesday in Abuja, Tinubu highlighted the invaluable role of children in shaping Nigeria’s future.

“My dear children, the pride and nature of our future of our great nation, I join you to celebrate the 2025 National Children’s Day with immense pride and profound joy.

“On this special day, let me reaffirm our commitment to nurturing and protecting you as Nigeria’s future leaders, innovators and change makers.”

Tinubu emphasized the significance of this year’s theme “Stand up, Speak up: Building a Bully-Free Generation”, he underscored the government’s determination to end all forms of violence against children.

“Violence, bullying and neglect have no place in Nigeria today. A child who learns in fear cannot learn well. A child who grows in fear cannot grow right.’’

The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, emphasised Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to protecting children’s rights.

“Children’s Day reminds us globally to uphold every child’s right to survive, thrive, and fulfil their potential.

“Nigeria’s commitment is rooted in international frameworks like the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and domestically through the Child Rights Act, which protects children from violence.”

She highlighted the urgency of addressing bullying, the theme of this year’s celebration.

“Bullying remains a serious threat to our children’s dignity, safety, and mental health. Nationally, over half of adolescents report being bullied, and many cases happen in classrooms.”

The Minister called for swift implementation of policies to ensure safe environments, while acknowledging other risks such as child labour, trafficking and early marriage that threaten Nigerian children’s wellbeing.

Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, underscored the importance of creating safe and supportive environments for children, particularly within the Federal Capital Territory,

“Our focus in the FCT is on community engagement, building a strong network of support for our children, and ensuring their safety and well-being.

“It takes a village to raise a child and we must all stand as that village to protect and empower every child in the FCT and across Nigeria.”

The event also featured an address by Hon. Rahama Waziri, Speaker of the FCT Children’s Parliament, who called for an end to bullying and for the empowerment of children’s voices.

She urged adults including parents, teachers and leaders to listen, support and protect children.

“Bullying isn’t just a word we hear in school, it is something many of us have felt, seen or even gone through.

“Enough is enough, we want to grow up in a world where we don’t have to pretend, a world where no one is afraid to be different, where kindness is louder than cruelty and where we all feel safe to just be ourselves.

“Let us make a promise today. We will not stay silent, we will not look away, we will stand up and together, we will build a bullying-free environment.”(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Children’s Day: Waterlight, NITDA, others partner to boost digital literacy

Philip Daniel Yatai
May, Wed, 2025

General News

Children’s Day: Waterlight, NITDA, others partner to boost digital literacy

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By Naomi Sharang

Waterlight Save Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and other NGOs have unveiled a strategic partnership to advance digital literacy among children and youths in the country.

The groups who converged on Abuja on Tuesday to celebrate the 2025 Children’s Day, all assured of digital education for Nigerian children.

Founder, Waterlight Save Initiative, Dr Ero Ibhafidon who acknowledged that there were challenges in the education sector, said that efforts are underway to ensure that every child is not left behind and every child gets basic education.

He said that children need to be trained on skills acquisition and not just formal education.

“We are not limiting our efforts to the classroom alone, but also skill acquisitions is also something that we want to start promoting, which we’ve already started.

“We want to take it up to the next level in digital education,” he said.

On the alarming rate of out-of-school children, Ibhafidon cited the words of late Prof. Obafemi Awolowo which is…

“If you ignore the children of the poor, then indirectly you are not protecting the peace of your own children in the future”.

Ibhafidon added that “So we believe that every child needs one or two skills in order to get going in what they need to get in life.

“They should learn not just skills of classroom learning, but they should learn different skills for themselves.

“The world is getting into a digital space. There are so many digital literacies that we should learn from home and also get educated from within our neighbourhood as well,” he said.

He said that his organisation was partnering with NITDA because we believe that technology is the way forward and NITDA is in charge of technology as far as the country is concerned.

Also speaking, Iklima Musa, Special Assistant on Strategic Partnerships to the Director-General of NITDA, Malam Kashifu Inuwa reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to growing the ‘next generation of innovators’.

She said that NITDA, through the implementation of its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2024 – 2027, has developed the National Digital Literacy Framework.

“This is meant to train Nigerians, or we want to achieve a percentage of digital literacy of Nigerians at 70 per cent; not just Nigerians, but also children.

“This is because we want them to have the competence and the proficiency for them to use digital technologies.

“But beyond the basic skills, the knowledge and the skills that we require them to have for children specifically, the framework has outlined digital safety and ethical awareness”.

She explained that this was so that children could be able to protect themselves while they are online and offline.

“Our children must be able to recognise harmful content and also be able to report inappropriate behaviours online and this is basically because we really want to at the same time, enlighten them, empower them and invest in them,” Musa said.

Also speaking, Executive Director, Sunday and Omoikhere Oriaran Foundation, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony, said there was the need to build children’s hope for a better Nigeria.

“The future belongs to them. And if the future belongs to them, we have to nurture them and get them ready for that future.

“We have to ensure that they are ready to take over from us. Children need to be celebrated. They are pure gifts from God Almighty,” she said.

She said that children ought to be celebrated, adding that that was why the foundation set out to commemorate Children’s Day.

“We are celebrating the day with children from the orphanage; we have our orphanage children, they are all here.

“We said let them come out, mingle with children, both of the high and mighty in the society.

“The children from the orphanage aspire to be their best but are not given the platform.

“And what we strive to do as the foundation, is to give them that foundation to excel and to be themselves, to use their talent, to just explore their world and give the best they can”.

She urged governments and well-spirited individuals to contribute their quota to the fight against out-of-school syndrome.

Some of the children who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) expressed delight at the activities lined up.

Emmanuella Onyema, said she was grateful to the organisers while calling on government to improve on the quality of education. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Foundation marks children’s day, seeks more support for young cancer patients

Philip Daniel Yatai
May, Tue, 2025

Health

Foundation marks children’s day, seeks more support for young cancer patients

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By Justina Auta

In a bid to create more awareness and advocate for increased support for childhood cancer, a non-governmental organisation, Okapi Children Cancer Foundation (OkapiCCF), took action on Children’s Day 2025.

The foundation marked the celebration with young cancer patients in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), bringing attention to their struggles and the need for early detection, care, and support.

Ms Kemi Adekanye, Founder and Chief Volunteer of OkapiCCF, led the initiative on Tuesday at the National Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja.

She stated that the exercise was designed to celebrate the strength of children battling cancer and emphasised the importance of early detection and care.

According to Adekanye, the day also served as an opportunity to spend quality time with young patients, while offering support and encouragement to their parents and caregivers.

“There is currently no structured support or government intervention for children with cancer.

“We are helping to reduce some of their financial burdens by covering part of their treatment costs and offering psychological support, just like we are doing here today.

“We all need to come together to raise awareness and support for these children. Even for those who are not yet diagnosed, cancer is more common in children than most people realise,” she said.

Malam Sani Abdulkarim, father of a five-year-old cancer patient, said the initiative brought smiles and hope to children in the hospital, reassuring them that they were not alone in their fight.

“We appreciate the foundation for making these children happy on this special day.

“I also appeal to the government to support these families, especially financially, and to establish more oncology centres,” he urged.

Mrs Francesca Augustine, mother of a two-year-old, also expressed gratitude:”When she was diagnosed, it was devastating, but God sent Okapi Foundation to restore our hope and support us.

“She has now completed her treatment.”

Dr Oyesakin Adewunmi, Chief Consultant Paediatrician and Head of the Oncology Unit at the National Hospital, Abuja, lauded the foundation for its decade-long support of children with cancer.

“Through their contributions, we’ve been able to finance treatments to completion, and some of these children are now survivors who have returned to school,” she said.

Adewunmi also highlighted persistent challenges in the fight against childhood cancer, including lack of funding, access to blood and blood products, and socio-cultural factors.

She stressed the importance of timely medical intervention and adherence to treatment to improve survival rates.

Similarly, Dr Ifeoma Ezeukwu, Head of the Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Unit at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, called for a unified effort:”Everyone should support children with cancer.

“The belief that cancer doesn’t occur in children is outdated. It does, and it is treatable if detected early.

“We urge the government to make cancer treatment for children free and include it in the national health insurance scheme. This will ease the financial burden on families.”

She also acknowledged OkapiCCF’s continued partnership in supporting children through diagnosis, investigation, and treatment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as part of the Children’s Day celebration, the foundation distributed hampers filled with food items and gifts to children undergoing cancer treatment.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

We want Nigeria where no child is exploited, excluded – Children’s Parliament

Philip Daniel Yatai
May, Tue, 2025

Metro

We want Nigeria where no child is exploited, excluded – Children’s Parliament

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By Philip Yatai

National Children’s Parliament has urged stakeholders to build a Nigeria where no child faces violence, forced labour or exclusion.

The Speaker of the parliament, Progress Umoh, made the call at the 2025 National Children’s Day in Abuja on Tuesday.

Umoh said that children craved for a country where every child has the tool to learn, dream and grow to full potential.

She pointed out that many children face violence, fear and exclusion in spaces meant to nurture them, adding that children demand more than promises.

“We demand protection. As Nelson Mandela said — a society’s soul is measured by how it treats its children.

“Let us honour that truth with action.

“As the speaker of the National Children’s Parliament, I stand before you not just as a young Nigerian but as a voice for millions of children whose rights and future depend on meaningful action.”

She said that the Children’s Parliament serves as vital platform where young voices unite to address critical issues, propose solutions and drive change.

According to her, children deserve a seat at the table in shaping policies that affect them.

She noted that the theme of the global observance — “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation”, is an urgent call to action.

She, therefore, called for full implementation of the National Policy on Safe Schools to ensure every child learns in a safe environment without fear.

The speaker also stressed the need to strengthen child rights advocacy clubs in rural and underserved areas.

This, according to her, will empower young leaders to speak up.

She explained that “while initiatives like the National Commission for Almajiri Education are commendable, we need bolder steps to rescue out-of-school children, providing them education, safety and skills for the future.

“Programmes like the Girl-Led Movement proves that when children lead, change happens, such
initiatives must include all children, ensuring their voices shape decisions about their lives.”

Responding, President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the rights, dreams and future of every Nigerian child.

Represented by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, the president described children as “the precious part of the nation’s fabric.”

Wike was also represented at the event by the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud.

Tinubu added that children are also the heartbeat of Nigeria’s future and custodians of tomorrow’s promise, innovation and leadership.

He said “I, therefore, reaffirm today, our constitutional, moral and intergenerational duty and commitment to safeguard every Nigerian child, protect their rights and nurture their dreams.”

Similarly, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said children’s day serves as an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to uphold the rights of every child to survive, thrive and fulfil their potential.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim added that the day also presents an opportunity to reflect and renew commitment to the rights, protection and wellbeing of every Nigerian child.

She said the Federal Government would strengthen the Nigeria Children’s Parliament to institutionalise child participation in governance.

“We are also developing the institutional framework for a National Child Protection and Development Agency.

“This strategic action aligned with the ministry’s Five-Year Strategic Roadmap to ensure accountability, coordination and sustainability in child welfare programming.”

On her part, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, the Pioneer Mandate Secretary, FCT Women Affairs, said “we are here to recognise the significance of our children in the family circle and the society at large.

“Importantly, we are here to stress the obvious fact that our children are great asset to us, they represent our hope, our continuity, our vision and most importantly, the future of our dear country, Nigeria.

“Today, as we gather to celebrate our children, we call on our teeming students in FCT to rise against bullying and speak up whenever confronted with this radical menace.

“I urge you to avoid bullying and channel all your energy to academic resourcefulness to shape a better tomorrow for yourselves.” (NAN)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

FCT Women Affairs building a better future for children – Secretary

Philip Daniel Yatai
May, Tue, 2025

Gender

FCT Women Affairs building a better future for children – Secretary

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By Philip Yatai

The Women Affairs Secretariat (WAS) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it is implementing child-centred programmes and projects toward building a better future for all children in the FCT.

The Mandate Secretary of the secretariat, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi said this at the 2025 National Children’s Day, in Abuja on Tuesday.

Benjamins-Laniyi explained that WAS has coordinated various interventions and life-impacting programmes for the good of children in the FCT.

She identified some of the programmes as the advocacy against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and review of guidelines for the operations of orphanage homes in the territory.

The gesture, according to her, is to give hope to our children, especially, the vulnerable ones and those with disability.

She recalled that in 1989, the United Nations Convention on the Right of the Child (CRC), was adopted by the Global Community to give direction to the rights of children across the world.

She added that in July 2003, Nigeria took a bold step to domesticate the International Child Treaty, by passing the Child’s Right Act into law.

“But today, we are still faced with the challenge of full domestication and implementation of the Child’s Rights Act in all the states of the federation.

“There is, therefore, the need to ensure full domestication of the Child Rights Act across the country.

She congratulated children in the FCT and the country, adding that child’s protection and promoting policies that would protect children’s rights to education were critical to national development.

She commended parents, schools and caregivers, who were playing the pivotal role of training and nurturing children, both at the home fronts and in schools.

“Indeed, you are doing a great job!” she said

The mandate secretary said that the theme, “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation”, was apt against the continued incidences of bullying in schools.

She said that bullying was being orchestrated by few radical students who have lost control of moral upbringing in society.

She added that the ugly act has cast a dark shadow in the school system, leaving victims beaten, injured and traumatised.

“This should not continue.

“Today, as we gather to celebrate our children, we call on our teaming students in FCT to rise against bullying and speak up whenever confronted with this radical menace.

“I urge you to avoid bullying and channel all your energy to academic resourcefulness, in order to shape a better tomorrow for yourselves,” she said.

Earlier, a child with disability, Victory Maduka, stressed the need for building a bullying-free generation, adding that everyone deserves to feel safe, loved and respected, especially children with disabilities.

According to her, bullying hurts and must be stopped.

“We must treat each other with kindness no matter our differences.

“Children with disabilities are strong and full of dreams. When we listen to them and support them, we build a better world.

“Let’s celebrate what makes each of us unique. Together we can build a better future where no one is left out.”

Also, orphans at the FCT Unity Children Home, Gwako, Gwagwalada, thanked FCT Minister Nyesome Wike for refurbishing their vehicles and giving them hope.

“Your Kindness makes us feel special and loved. We are grateful for your care and support,” the children said.

The Deputy Director, Child Development Department, WAS, Mr Idris Attah, explained that the vehicles have been grounded for more than 10 years. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi