The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo and his wife, Nonye have affirmed total commitment to the overall development of children in the state, as they celebrated them on the 2024 Children’s Day.
The Governor appreciated millions of children in the state, describing them as Anambra’s glorious future.
While promising to continue to intentionally prioritising the future by investing in education, Governor Soludo stated that education is the bridge to the future.
He expressed optimism that the investments made by his administration, would start yielding results soon.
According to the Governor, “Anambra remained the state with the lowest record of out-of-school children in Nigeria, attributing it to the huge investment of his government on education.”
He also commended the teachers for their commitment in training the children, while assuring them that his administration would not lower the bar in the recruitment of teachers.
He said, “We are here to celebrate our future. Our future and others who were not able to join us here. This is the third time I am witnessing Children’s Day since I assumed office, but this is the largest I have seen so far.
“I can see the glorious future of Anambra and Nigeria as we behold their face. We are deliberately investing in our children, who are our bridge for skills needed here and exporting them.
“In two years, we have employed over 8,000 teachers because the children are our greatest asset. Currently, Anambra has the lowest out-of-school children in the country. We are targeting making it zero, Anambra children deserve the best.
“We are having sleepless nights because of you. Roads will wash away, sky-scraper will collapse, but investment in children will stand the test of time.”
Governor Soludo 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.
He said; “If you can save cost of your favourite brand of drink, you can buy a pencil for the child. That is a way of investing in education.”
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 “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.
The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo, urged parents to offer their children the needed parent-child relationship and make their homes more conducive for them to thrive amidst challenges.
Mrs 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.
She 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.
“Enhancing the wellbeing of the Nigerian child is not the sole responsibility of government. It requires multi stakeholders synergy such as parents, guardians whose major role focuses on creating the needed healthy environment for our children to blossom,” she added.
The Speaker of the Children’s Parliament, Victory Ekwunife thanked the Governor for implementing their plea during the previous year’s exercise.
She 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.
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.”
Mercy Chukwudiebere
