By BENJAMIN OMOIKE
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged parents/guardians to inculcate the right values in their children, as this will enable them to shun all social vices.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Folashade Jaji, gave the charge during the 2022 Children’s Day Celebration, at the Police College, Parade Ground, Ikeja on Friday.
The celebration, the governor said, “makes a call to our beloved parents and guardians to protect these innocent ones from all harms by providing better childhood, in order to give them a promising future. We owe them a duty to ensure that their dreams and aspirations are realised through continuous training, guidance and mentoring.”
Praying that they will continue to be a source of joy to their families and the state, the governor commended the ‘Education Family of Lagos State’, most especially the teachers, for their relentless contributions and outstanding initiatives toward ensuring that the students are actively engaged.
He promised that his administration will do its best to ensure that it implements policies and programmes to nurture these legacies, instil the ideals of quality education, and ensure that no child is left behind.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the theme for this year’s celebration, “A Better Future for Every Child” is quite apt as it highlights the principles of the convention on the Rights of the Child that all children, irrespective of their status and present global situations, should enjoy their rights to survival and development for a better future.
He lamented that presently, children are falling victims to many social vices like child abuse, rape, drug abuse, hard labour, and violence, among others, adding: “They are denied the opportunity to enjoy a healthy life, parents’ love and commitment and other childhood happiness. Children’s Day celebration gives us an opportunity to reflect and renew our commitment to building a society that will guarantee for them a better future.”
However, Sanwo-Olu said that the “state is continuously embarking on series of initiatives and intervention programmes, in a bid to promote the Child Right Protection Law in line with the goal of the Universal Children’s Day to improve child welfare, promote and celebrate children’s rights and promote togetherness and awareness among all children. We recognise the role education plays in ensuring a better future for our children.”
Also at the event, the Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Folasade Adefisayo, commended the Sanwo-Olu administration for raising the stake of the students to higher levels with the children showing competence to match their counterparts anywhere in the world by winning laurels at home and abroad.
She also lauded the students’ ingenuity in competitions, saying it is very encouraging, as all points to the fact that “our future is in the hands of good and reliable keepers.”
She commended Governor Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, for their genuine interest in the education, welfare and comfort of every child in Lagos State and for the approval to always celebrate the children through a week-long activities of various imparting, educating and entertaining programmes.
Reminding the students that the Governor Sanwo-Olu administration “has invested enormously in your education by providing all that you need to meet your true potentials,” Adefisayo added:
“You are the future of our dear state and nation. Therefore, I implore you to continue to work harder and excel both in academic and co-curricular activities.” Saying that the state government has put a lot of facilities at the students’ disposal the commissioner urged them to effectively use the facilities to their advantage.
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She thanked the state education family for the passion and investment in the future of all the children of Lagos State, irrespective of the circumstances of birth, especially for ensuring a level playing ground for all to nurture and grow their knowledge in pursuit of a better tomorrow.
While commending the students for distinguishing themselves in national and international competitions winning several laurels and trophies for the state, the commissioner acknowledged the role of our teachers in mentoring the children.
She said: “You are indeed nation builders and we salute your commitment, diligence and dedication.”
She noted that despite the various contending needs struggling for resource allocation, the large number of schools and the huge population of learners, the Sanwo-Olu administration has continued to commit huge resources to the upbringing and wellbeing of tomorrow’s keepers, the children of Lagos State.
