Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has celebrated Anambra children as the future of the state.
Governor Soludo, in company of his wife, Nonye, participated in the activities to mark the day at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.
The theme for this year’s event is “Enhancing Total Wellbeing Of The Nigerian Child, Through Quality Education And Skills Development”.
In an address, the Governor appreciated millions of children of Anambra state, describing them as Anambra’s glorious future.
While assuring to continue to intentionally prioritizing the future by investing in education, Governor Soludo stated that education is the bridge to the future, expressing optimism that the investments made by his administration, will start yielding results soon.
The Governor enumerated some of his administration’s strides including recruitment of 8115 teachers based on merit, free education, increase in enrollment into Anambra schools by 18.7 %, among others, saying that Anambra children matter as the greatest asset.
He called on everyone to invest in education, describing it as everyone’s responsibility through the Public-Private-Community-Partnership, PPCP model, as government cannot do it alone.
In an opening speech, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo said that this year’s theme ties into the Governor’s plan to enhance the wellbeing of every Anambra child and Nigeria through his numerous quality education policies and skills development among growing children and youths by extension.
Mrs. Obinabo highlighted how the Governor is providing quality healthcare to primary health facilities in the 21 local government areas, his strides through Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme, ASHIS for children and women, provision of quality free education from primary one to JSS 3 in safe and well maintained public schools in all communities.
She enjoined parents to honestly give children the needed parent-child relationship and make the home more conducive for them to thrive, even in the face of unavoidable life challenges, realising that children are more vulnerable when there is mental meltdown in the home.
The Speaker of the Children’s Parliament, Hon. Victory Ekwunife who thanked the Governor for implementing their plea during the previous year’s exercise, solicited for complete implementation of the child rights law, provision of shelter for children and provision of correctional center for children who are in conflict with the law.
The governor also inspected the guard of honour mounted in his honour by the Police Children School, took salute from pupils and students of various schools who participated in the march past, as well as interacted with Anambra students and teachers.
Cultural dance, bale dance and performance by the state calestenics group and price presentation to various winners also featured at the event.
Children’s Day is celebrated annually on May 27 to honor the rights and well-being of children.
