Nigeria’s future and infact the future of every nation, depends largely on the wellbeing of it’s children and young people. On this note, children are recognized and celebrated on Children’s day, a day set aside to honor children and the young people. Thus, pre schoolers, primary and secondary school pupils are given a day off as holiday to celebrate them on children’s day.
Aside the celebration, the day also serves to appreciate children, conform their rights which include right to health, education, protection and general wellbeing. This is to ensure that appropriate supportive and secure environment is developed for children to preserve their future, advance their standard of living and prepare them for the next generation.
May 27th is traditionally the Children’s day celebration in Nigeria. Other countries celebrate their children’s day on different days like China celebrates on June 1, Japan celebrates on May 5th Britain celebrates on August 20 and so on. It is a national and international celebration, marked on different dates by most nations.
Today at RoyalQuest Schools, we celebrate our young Princes and Princesses and other children across Nigeria. Because May 27th is a Saturday, we engage our children today for the celebration. It is our Cartoon Character Day. Pupils and their teachers are all dressed on Cartoon costumes as they represent Cartoon characters. There are presentations, choreography, music and dance. There is also exchange of gifts by all the pupils as a mark of unity and love amongst them.
On days like this, several activities are carried out by differents schools and by the government. These include march-past, funfairs, parades, parties, excursions etc. Some government bodies, national media and non governmental organisations, religious groups, private and public organisations also engage in creating different awareness to celebrate children. National event centres like stadiums, galleries and amusement parks are usually very busy on this day.
Sadly, some of these celebrations are beginning to get dwindled by social political factors which are trying to overshadow the observance of this day. We hardly hear government officials involve children activities in their speeches. Children participation on children’s day is fast dropping, their voices no longer heard as before, avenues for meaningful participation of children on the state and national levels are fast fading away, march-past no longer marked in all states, etc. Lots of activities of old are gradually losing value. There is need to salvage this sagging system and save it from collapsing, for the sake of the children and their future.
We call on parents, government, the internal, external, private, public bodies, media and all stake holders to work hand in hand in order to redeem this. All avenues to facilitate meaningful participation of children must be harnessed to ensure their voices come to the fore again. The care and protection of children through suitable administrative and legal measures must also be upheld to advance their standard of living, protect their rights and develop appropriate and adequate supportive system for them.
Children are our most treasured possession on earth. They are innocent, peaceful and loving. Their growth, happiness and general well being should be our utmost priority. We all have a role to play in bringing out the best in them, supporting them and celebrating them. This day offers an opportunity for us to celebrate them.
Let’s make the most out of it!
Amara Ann Unachukwu
