Making conscious efforts to invest in a nation’s children is the most direct and best way to invest in that nation’s future.
In his address at the 2022 Children’s Day celebration in Osogbo on Friday, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State made the claim.
Oyetola, who was represented by Oyebade Festus Olowogboyega, the state’s Head of Service, urged children to imbibe the virtues of discipline, hard work, honesty, and patriotism, saying that these virtues are necessary for children to develop their full potential, and that these virtues are also necessary for the sustainability of democratic institutions for national development.
The governor of Osun, while highlighting the challenges posed by the total breakdown of societal values and unrestricted social media vices, urged all stakeholders to act quickly.
He went on to say that raising awareness of the critical role of parents, families, and the community in protecting children requires all hands on deck.
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“The choice of this year’s theme, ‘Investing in our future means investing in our children: A better future for every child,’ could not have come at a better time than now, given the challenges posed by the total breakdown of social value and current unrestricted social media vices, which called for an urgent need for all stakeholders to put all hands on deck in making conscious efforts at raising awareness of parents, families, and communities at all levels,” he says.
“I believe that investing in our children is a direct way of investing in our nation’s future.”
He reassured the children that the state government would fulfil all of its obligations to ensure their well-being and development.
“The government is committed to promoting and protecting all citizens’ rights, including children’s.” This is because the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Child Rights Act of 2007 make it clear that it is our primary responsibility.
“Accordingly, the Children’s Day celebration is to remind us of our responsibilities as parents toward the protection of our children’s rights, special care and protection, and we should strive hard by investing in our children by providing them with quality education and all of the complementary skills they will need to survive and thrive in the near future.”
“If we do this, every child will have a better future.” Parents should instil in their children the values of honesty, dedication, and patriotism in the same way that they teach their children to love their country.
“As parents, we have no greater responsibility than to ensure that our children are well-cared for, protected, and respected, that their lives are free of fear, and that they grow up in peace.”
It is also an opportunity to remind our children of their duties and responsibilities to us as parents in conducting their affairs morally, respecting elders, and refraining from all forms of criminal activity.”
In her speech, the Commissioner for Women, Children and Social Affairs, Toyin Araoye, the Special Adviser for Women, Children and Social Affairs, said that the year’s theme, ‘Investing in our future means investing in our children: A better future for every child,’ was a call to action for governments, parents, guardians, stakeholders, and society to wake up to their responsibilities.
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“Caring, protection, promoting projects and programmes for the general welfare of children regardless of their gender, physical and social challenges,” she declared as part of her responsibilities.
Araoye also revealed that the state government is working with security operatives to respond to cases of abuse and child rape, as well as the expansion of the state’s toll-free lines to include cases involving children and women.
