Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State has assured children in the state that the government under his leadership will continue to strongly sustain its commitments to all existing obligations to ensure their general wellbeing and development.
Oyetola, while delivering his address the state’s commemoration of the year’s Children’s Day celebration, said the commitment was necessary to honour children’s rights to decent existence.
Osun governor, who spoke through the Head of the state’s civil service, Dr Festus Oyebade, called on parents to be more deliberate about the education of their children and exposing them to complimentary skills required for favourable competition.
He also charged children on the virtues of discipline, hard work, honesty and patriotism, which according to him, are essential for playing their part in national development.
He also urged every stakeholder involved in child education and development to work hard at complementing the efforts of the government towards the protection of the children against different forms of vices.
“The choice of this year’s theme – A better future for every child – could not have come at a better time than now. Challenges posed by the total breakdown of societal values and the current unrestricted social media vices, call for an urgent need for all stakeholders to put all hands on deck in making conscious efforts at raising awareness on the critical role of protecting children against the effects of this value deficit.
“What should be paramount in the mind of any visionary leader is how to secure a better future for every child irrespective of his or her geography location and conditions. I hereby wish to ensure our children in the state that the government will continue to strongly sustain its commitments to all on-going obligations to ensure your general wellbeing and development.
“The government is committed to promoting and protecting the rights of every citizen, including children. This is because it is our primary responsibility as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Child Rights Act, 2007.
“Accordingly, Children’s Day celebration is to remind us of our responsibilities as parents toward the protection of the rights of our children. We should strive hard to invest in our children by giving them quality education and complementaryskills needed for survival. It is when we do this that a better future is guaranteed for our children.
“Parents should equally teach their children to live a life of honesty, dedication and love for the country. There is no duty more important to.us as parents than to ensure that children are cared for, protected, respected, their lives are free from fear and that they grow in peace.
“It is also an occasion to remind our children about their duties and responsibilities to us as parents in conducting their affairs morally, ensure respect for elders, and avoid all forms of criminal activities.
We also charge you to imbibe the virtues of discipline, hardwork, honesty and patriotism, which positions you to play your part in the development of the nation”, Oyetola said.
In her welcome remarks, the Commissioner for Women, Children and Social Affairs, Barrister Bukola Olaboopo, lauded the state government for its consistent commitment to the children, saying that value for children means value for the future of the state.
Speaking through the Coordinating Director of the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Affairs, Jide Falade, Olabooposaid the pedestal that children are placed on today will determine what becomes of the state and even the nation tomorrow.
She therefore charged on greater attention to children by every stakeholder beyond commemorative events such as the day’s celebration.
