The wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, has called for a total crackdown by relevant agencies on practices that promote child labour and trafficking.
She stated that the most enduring legacy is an investment in children to harness their full potential for self-development and a positive impact on society as a whole.
Lady Fubara stated these while speaking at twin activities by the state government to mark the 2024 Children’s Day celebrations in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Speaking shortly after taking the salute during the official march past at the Sharks Football Club Stadium, Port Harcourt, Lady Fubara, who applauded the theme of this year’s celebration, “Investing in the Future Means Investing in Our Children,” called for the prioritisation of the development and wellbeing of children, noting that such investment transcends the individual and has ripple effects on the larger society.
She said, “Today when we’re gathered to celebrate Children’s Day, we are reminded of the invaluable treasure we hold in our hands, the promise of our future, embodied in the innocence, curiosity, and boundless potential of our children.
“The theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Investing in the future means investing in our children’ underscores our responsibility towards generations to come.
“These responsibilities,” she pointed out, “involve nurturing, guiding, and inspiring our children to be architects of a brighter future.”
She further explained that investing in children goes beyond the mere provision of basic needs such as education and healthcare, which are essential components but involves creating an enabling environment that fosters their holistic development, intellectually, socially, emotionally, and ethically.
According to her, “Investment in our children is about instilling in them the values of compassion, empathy, and responsibility for diversity, laying the foundation of a society built on inclusivity and understanding, and instilling in them the skills of knowledge and understanding to navigate an ever-changing world.”
Also speaking at the party organised for children at Government House, with the theme ‘For Every Child, Every Right’, the Rivers First Lady pointed to how inimical child labour and trafficking are hampering the healthy growth and well-being of children, which therefore should be tackled head-on.
She said: “It is apparent that more efforts still need to be made to continue tackling issues related to our children’s growth and well-being, especially in the area of child labour and trafficking, which are endemic in our society today.
“I call on relevant government agencies to step up the campaign against such evil practices and ensure the safety of our children, as they remain the hope of our nation and the potential leaders of tomorrow.
“I urge parents not to be unduly pressured, either by the temporary economic challenges or by societal influences, to engage in such inhumane practices as child labour or trafficking. It is not only an evil against humanity but also a sin against God,” she said.
Lady Fubara said it was a privilege for her to host children in the state, who are the future hope of society, on such an auspicious occasion and to share in their joy on a day designated for them globally.
The First Lady of the State emphasised that in evaluating the priorities of the day, it was pertinent to focus on what the Rivers State Government has started doing for them under the watch of her husband, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, particularly in prioritising their education.
Lady Fubara said: “Several policy initiatives are being taken to rebrand and reposition the educational sector by strengthening operations and promoting the emergence of SMART schools through the remodelling of infrastructure and upgrading of learning equipment.
“I am aware that this administration has taken up examination fees for schoolchildren and further purchased books and instructional materials to deepen teaching and improve learning.
“We are truly grateful to His Excellency, the Governor, for always thinking ahead to cater for our children. This clearly demonstrates our determined efforts at building the future; we definitely want to see if we want a tomorrow with great men and women.”
She stressed the need for sustained but deliberate efforts in planning for the future with greater investment that will manifest in the well-being of children.
She recalled the recent gesture of the wife of Nigeria’s President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who, with the ‘Renewed Hope Initiative’, allowed her office to coordinate the donation of 50,000 exercise books to public schools in Rivers State.
She said, “This effort was to ensure that our children do not lack the basic materials required of them to engage in the learning process.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we are here to celebrate our children, and we must continue to pray for them and to guide them according to the dictates of God Almighty, who gave them to us to look after.”
Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Dr Justina Jumbo, stated that prioritising the welfare of children was paramount, especially in this period of prevailing social and moral decadence in our society.
She said the celebration of Children’s Day helps to bring issues concerning the welfare of children to the fore and urged governments at all levels and the private sector to refocus their plans by investing in the future of the children.
The events featured a march past, the presentation of gifts to participating schools, a unity dance performed by 23 children representing the LGAs of the state, and other forms of games.
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