By Cleopatra Eki
“There is dignity in labour, Education comes first, our purpose today is to showcase role models in good leadership, governance and right orientation to our children and youth.”
Haija lslamiat Oshodi, National President, Association for Childhood Education Practitioners (ACEP) made the call at National Children’s event with a theme “Greater Nigeria Better Tomorrow” held at Obele Community Centre Surulere Lagos.
She disclosed that Association for Childhood Education Practitioners( ACEP) brought together like minds to develop a way to assist through collaboration with other stakeholders United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Ministries, Agencies and NGOs in our little ways.
ACEP is concerned about the plights faced by Nigerian students hence we are starting from Lagos State to showcase the Heroes that helped in the Nation’s capacity building and Development We hope to replicate the noble initiative in other states of the country.The books on Sustainable Development goals donated by United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) were given to primary and secondary students by ACEP to come up with books on substainable Development Goals 13 and l6
Oshodi added that role models and senior citizens like late Alhaji Latif Jakande, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Femi Okunu, who have contributed immersely to Educational sector besides politics.
The ACEP President charged the children to recognize and appreciate good senior citizens who have contributed immensely in the society.
They should write books on Nation builders who have impacted good governance in future leaders. These books written by the children would be published by ACEP and such books which would stand the test of time from one generation to another.
Responding to the out -of -school in Nigeria, she maintained that it is huge problem , government should do more, gives hope and transform lives of vulnerable and indigent children and families in the society .
She appealed to security agencies and stakeholders to be mindful of foreigners who claim Nigerians cause havoc, robbery, murder, kidnapping, terrorism and they have no identity ,home addresses and state. Their actions cause suffering, fears and poverty to the society.
Chief Executive officer/convener Speaking Fingers Network,Treasures Uchegbu said collaboration of the event with UNIC, ACEP, and other implementing Partners, seek to advocate for the Education, Exposure, and Expression of the innate potential of every child especially children with disabilities.
Uchegbu emphasized that all hands must of necessity be on deck to provide the platform for children to develop Skills, Life living Functional Skills, build their Leadership Capacity and implement relevant Policy and legal framework like the Sustainable Development Goals, Special People’s law in Lagos and the Nigerian Disability Law for Greater Nigerian, Better tomorrow leaving No Child Behind.
Head Child Protection Unit, Ministry of Youth Sports and Development Mrs Abiola Osinfowutan said Lagos State government is concerned about childs’ rights and protection, hence it has several agencies to protect children, ,women and vulnerable people.
Osinfowutan appealed to all stakeholders to continuously assist all children including People living with disabilities to chart their course while no person is discriminated against.
Some of the beneficiary schools were Obele-Odan Community Primary Schools , Adeniji Primary schools, Great learners Academy and The Learners Park Nursery and Primary schools Lagos.
The event features Film documentary, match pass, choreography dance, Drama presentation, cultural dance, quiz , games, distribution of packs and gifts, drinks and food for participants.
ACEP appreciate UNIC AS LEARN. ACEP also appreciate the relentless efforts of Fashola and Asiwaju
