Francis Sadhere
As the world celebrates World Children’s Day Chinkelly High School located at Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State today joined the rest of the world in the celebration in grand style as they lined up various activities to the delight of the students and their parents.
The celebration which took place at the school premises started with a special song done by the pupils of the school to the admiration of both the parents and guest at the occasion.
Some of the activities at the occasion included a drama presentation titled “Nkem Must Go” performed by the junior students of the school which kept other students, parents, teachers and guests on the edge of their seats as they watch with admiration the way the children dazzled them with their wonderful performances.
There was also a beautiful and colourful cultural display performed by the children of the school which saw different cultural dance steps and performances that kept everybody either dancing to the beats or nodding their heads in appreciation of the performance.
The parents were not left out of the groove as the Nursery pupils thrilled the crowd to a “Dance for Mummy and Daddy” which they performed marvelously well.
A poem recitation titled, “The Nigerian Child to Buhari” was recited by the primary and secondary pupils.
A talk show with the theme “Suggestions On How to Improve National Development in Nigeria” was also done by pupils of the school where they gave robust suggestions on how to improve our National Development.
During the talk show, the students suggested that for the country to improve its national development, the incoming administration must pay special attention to eradicating corruption by punishing offenders.
They students advised the incoming president to put an end to amnesty programme saying that it does not encourage hard work, adding that law and order must be maintained throughout the country. They also said that Religious leaders should stay away from politics on focus on teaching the people morals.
While calling on parents to be role model to their children, the students asked Nigerians to always pray for their leaders, stressing that criminals should not be allowed to roam the street as they will corrupt the young ones.
They also clamoured for a fare share of federal allocation to all states with constant monitoring of state governors to check if they were actually spending the money they were given into the right projects.
“The government must train our teachers and provide them with standard facilities to enable them do their jobs efficiently. Government must develop the industrial and agricultural sector that will attract jobs and skills to the citizens. There must be a good tax system put in place to ensure that monies collected from the citizens gets to the government. The tax officers must be made accountable to the people and government. Government must develop viable technology by hiring expatriates that will train our people. Government must also equip our rural area with rural electrification to check rural urban migration. Our police and our armed forces must be fully equipped the EFCC must be allowed to work independently. Adult literacy must also be reintroduce if we want our nation to develop,” the students advised.
Earlier, Proprietress of Chinkelly Schools, Dr. (Mrs.) Veronica Ogbuagu in her speech said Children constituted the greatest asset of a nation and that a nation prospers or progresses to the extent it is able to develop the hidden potential lying untapped in her children, adding that we need to give much attention to their all-round development.
Ogbuagor noted that a day like Children’s Day is a right step in this direction saying that the day invites everybody to give children their due love, affection and opportunities for development.
She said: “For the obligation, as parents, elders and stakeholder, we should provide our children with safe and loving environment in which to grow as well as giving them ample and equal opportunities through which they can take of great strides and contribute to the progress of the nation. This day serves as a reminder to us, to renew our commitment to the welfare of children and teach them to live by noble standards and example.”
Ogbuagu, a former Delta State Commissioner for Education added: “It is in the light of this that we should always ensure they do not dress indecently, labour for money, be heads of families at their age – stuff them with excess fast food that might make them obese and have diabetics. We should also scrutinize the type of movies they watch, what they do with the computer and so on.
“We must always put in mind the inestimable worth of these little angels. For, they are the valuable assets of our nation, the future of our land and the hope of tomorrow. Today also invites us to acquire the fine qualities that characterize children such as simplicity, purity of heart and mind, innocence, a sense of affection and attachment.”
Also speaking, the principal of the school, Sir Iroroneva Reuben Aleze (KSA) called on the Federal and State government to enforce the Child Protection Law which is already in existence, adding that children are been abused everyday by parents, guardians and the society in general without been punished.
He charged parents and guardians to make conscious effort to build and protect their children from been abused, stressing that parent should not provoke their children unnecessarily because the children will take their place after they have completed their circle here on earth.
He said: “The school in reality is a place where you can learn the good, the bad and the ugly. But you can sift the good from the bad and the ugly if you know the purposeful fact about the school setting. Beside, the school is not just a place for learning, but is a place for you to be transformed by what you learn. The school is a place where you make positive difference.”
Speaking on behalf of the students of the school, Miss Bebenimibo Tubolayefa, a primary five pupil said in her speech that children are responsible citizens of tomorrow and that for a country to develop the foundation of knowledge, skills and attitude should be laid on the celebration of Children’s Day.
She said: “Children’s Day also reminds us of the rights of children. We are the citizens and leaders of tomorrow. So we really matter and deserve respect, special care, sound and qualitative education and protection. But do you know how many children are abused in our nation? On this occasion let us also remember those children who are sick, abused and unhappy. Remember that as children: We have the right to have healthy food, we have the right to be looked after by our parents and family. We have the right to feel safe at home and school, and when we are disabled or sick, we have the right to special care.”
