Children are Nigeria’s future, hope— UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) has described Nigerian Children as the light, dream, and hope of tomorrow.

UNICEF Country Representative , Mr Peter Hawkins said this in at an event organised by UNICEF to mark the 2019 International World Children’s Day, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child  at the Goverment Day Secondary School Garki, Abuja, saying that every child, especially the Nigerian child is born with talent to inspire and be part of the future of the country.

“Thirty years ago, world leaders made an historic commitment to the world’s children by adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which made provision for 42 rights in the passports as enshrined in the convention on the rights of the child.

“Every Nigerian Child is born with a talent and a future. Today UNICEF Nigeria says the children are the tomorrow of Nigeria , that is why this year’s 2019 world Children’s Day which Coincides with the 30th anniversary of the CRC UNICEF provides a platform to  showcase their talent,”

Pledging UNICEF’s resolve in giving necessary support to Nigerian communities to promote the rights of children, Mr Hawkins also said priority should be given to the Education of the child as it forms the basis of defense for them as regards knowing and standing for their rights in the society.

“When a child is educated they will be given the ability to contribute their quota to the community, when a child is educated they can avoid situations that can engender them as regards their health and their future as a whole.

Mr. Hawkins stated the celebration of the 2019 World Children’s Day was to showcase the talent of the Nigerian child with emphasis placed on the need to value and recognise the rights of the children.

A Special Guest at the event, Cobhams Asuquo, said the Nigerian children are all that is right with Nigeria, with the chance to re-write all that is wrong with the country.

Asuquo said,  ” you have the chance and a clean slate to take this country to where it should be because you all have the chance to re-write all the wrongs the previous generations before committed ,I envy you all because you have the chance'”

He challenged the children to take up the opportunities around them as they are better than any celebrity they admire today.

“You have the opportunity of doing what we do today better , and every one of you have the opportunity to don’t better.”

The  UN Secretary General , Anthonio Gutteres in her message called on the governments of the world to build on advances and re-commit to putting children first.

According to him, children around the world are showing their strength and leadership by advocating for a more sustainable world for all, hence the need to build on advances and re-commit to putting children first.

“It’s become the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history and has helped transform children’s lives around the world.

But still not every child gets to enjoy a full childhood; too many childhoods are cut short”.

She noted that it is up to our generation to demand that leaders from government, business and communities fulfil their commitments and take action for child rights now, once and for all as a way of committing  to making sure every child, has every right.

The event showcased Dance competition among the GSS Garki Students among whom two winners emerged and recieved the gifted of two Techno Spark Phones.

The theme of the 2019 World Children’s Day is , Children of today, our keepers tomorrow.

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