By: Aisha Mohammed
As the world celebrates International Children’s Day, children in Adamawa State have called on government at all levels to prioritize their welfare to help them reach their full potential.
They made the call during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Neido Geoffrey, in Yola.
The children expressed their gratitude for her commitment to improving their lives.
One student from Government Day Secondary School Karewa, named Precious Joseph, highlighted that the day was established by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness about children’s welfare and urged for collective efforts to support children globally.
Representing the children of Adamawa State, a JSS 3 student from Concordia College Yola, Stephen Sabo, requested the introduction of a Gender Responsive Education Sector Plan, free education from Primary to Junior Secondary School, reduced school fees for Senior Secondary and Tertiary levels, policy against corporal punishment and bullying in schools and a strengthened monitoring committee for child rights implementation.
Sabo also urged for the signing of the GAVI Memorandum of Understanding by the Adamawa State Government to provide quality healthcare services for all children and free medical services for victims of violence and submitted their positions to the Commissioner.
In response, Commissioner, Neido Geoffrey, represented by Director of Child Development, Hassan Mohammed, assured the children that their requests would be considered to ensure they have the necessary educational resources to reach their full potential.
Receiving the Children in his Office, General Manager, Radio Nigeria Fombina FM Yola, Dahiru Garba expressed delight over the level of commitment displayed by the children during the phase of their rehearsal, adding that UNICEF and Fombina FM Yola collaboration, which is part of the Radio station’s Cooperate Social responsibility brought about the engagement.
Handing over his seat to a JSS 1 student from Concordia College Yola, Jummai Akintoye, the General Manager further explained that, the Radio station, having ten units with his office making eleven, makes it easier for the children to assume roles of the various unit heads including the General Manager.
Assuming the role of the General Manager, Jummai Akintoye urged her members of staff to use available tools through various Radio programs and reportage to address the welfare of children in the society especially in the area of education and health.
International Children’s Day is an annual event, celebrated on 20 November, set aside by United Nations General Assembly to create awareness on the need to prioritize the welfare of children and advocate for collective efforts towards supporting the welfare of children globally.
This year’s World Children’s Day supported by UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, brought together children from General Murtala Mohammed College Yola, Government Day Secondary School Karewa and Concordia College Yola who took over role of General Manager, Fombina FM Yola, role of children programs presenters and guest in the Radio station’s programs.
International Children’s Day is celebrated on 20 November annually to raise awareness about children’s welfare and advocate for support globally.
This year’s event, supported by UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, saw children, paying courtesy visit to the Commissioner, Women Affairs and Social Development Adamawa State, taking over roles of General Manager at Fombina FM Yola and presenting children’s programs on the radio station.
