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Children’s Day: Little to celebrate amid economic adversity

By Bertram Nwannekanma, Isaac Taiwo, Adetutu Salako, Tobore Efe and ‘Niyi Ojo
27 May 2016   |   2:38 am
Amidst economic adversity, Nigerian children will today join their peers across the world to celebrate the international day for children.
 Chidren...the world celebrates them today

Chidren…the world celebrates them today

Amidst economic adversity, Nigerian children will today join their peers across the world to celebrate the international day for children.

The idea to set aside a special day for children around the world was originally mooted by Rubab Mansoor, a child in the eight grade, but was first proclaimed by the World Conference for the Well-being of Children in 1925 and then given global prominence in 1954, as a day set aside to celebrate childhood and promote mutual exchange and understanding among children.

Noted for its usual march-pasts by primary and secondary school pupils in local council headquarters and state capitals, such glamour that accompanied it begun to wane in the late 90s.

The 2016 Children’s Day celebration may not after all, be different, given the harsh economic realities and poor government attitude towards children. It is even worsened by the recent fuel hike, which has affected prices of commodities in the market.

But the proprietress of Treasure Schools, Ogunro, Mowe in Obafemi Owode local council of Ogun State, Mrs. Victoria Bamidele, believe the current economic situation in the country should not be allowed to rob the children of their joy. According to her, since children are special gifts from God, they should be celebrated always.

She noted though that her school has decided to hold a low-key celebration for the pupils at the school premises with no cost to the parents in reaction to the current realities. “Before, we levy parents N1,000 per child for a treat outside the school, but we are being considerate going by the situation of the country. Some parents are even struggling to pay their wards’ school fees.

The story is not the same for some pupils who would be forced to stay at home with nothing to do. A proprietor of a private school in Ire Akari Estate, Isolo, who pleaded for anonymity, said pupils from the school would celebrate their day at homes, as the school cannot afford to fuel buses for any trip.

According to him, the school is barely managing to fuel the buses for its daily operations because they did not anticipate the increase in petrol when the fees for the term were being computed. Apart from that, many parents are yet to pay their children’s school fees, while others are paying in paltry installments.

A teacher at a private school in Mowe said many pupils have not been in school because they are hawking on the streets to help their parents. “That many states are still owing teachers’ salaries and other allowances is an indication that the government is not doing enough for the leaders of tomorrow,” he said.

Iyanu Oladipo of Senator Ville Academy, Ijere in Owode-Obafemi local council of Ogun State, said there could be no celebration when majority of children are not in school because their parents could not afford to send them to school. The SSS 11 student called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that every child in Nigeria is in school by declaring a free and functional education for every school-age child.

However, Dufil Prima Foods, makers of Indomie noodles, is celebrating Children’s Day with a one-week activity, taking place simultaneously in 16 cities in Nigeria, including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Benin, Kaduna and Abuja. The event, which has been running for a decade now, had its grand opening on Monday at the Apapa Amusement Park, in Lagos. The grand finale will hold on Saturday May 28, at an event that will host over 100,000 children.

Public Relations Officer of the firm, Mr.  Ashiwaju Temitope, said: “The celebration is a way of giving back and making children happy. We want to fill in the gap for parents with busy schedules, who wouldn’t have the time to give their children the special treat they deserve.”

When The Guardian visited Eti-Osa Local Council in Ajah, a lot of schools were closed for the mid-term break. Only the ATMAYO International Schools were in session. ATMAYO under the Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED) is a body with about 90 schools for middle/low-class children.

The proprietress, Mrs. Vicky Joseph, believes there is hope for the Nigerian child amid the present odds. We have a series of activities lined up for the Children’s Day event, which include visits to NTA2 Channel 5 and fun sites like Dream World Africana.

Churches aren’t left out in keeping the children engaged with activities, such as the Deeper Christian Life Ministry Children’s Day funfair and the City of David’s ‘God’s Children Got Talent’ under the Redeemed Christian Church of God, among others.

The Guardian spoke to a few pupils, who shared their thoughts about the day. Adegor Precious from Kemester Secondary School, said: “I am happy to witness another Children’s Day and I believe this will be a special day for us as our parents will be taking us out to have fun. I will also have the privilege of meeting people from other schools.”

Aduragbemi Bankole from Agboju Junior Secondary School, said: “Children’s Day is suppose to be special but I don’t think it will be special for me because I will be at home, with no place to go. My school did not make any preparation for the day, and government has no programme for us too.”

Favour Chidiebere from Divine Nursery and Primary School, said “Children’s Day is always a remarkable day for me because my parents take me and my siblings to visit amusement park, zoo, and other important places that are educative. We also visit the less privilege home, orphanage, and hospitals to give gift items to children. I wish Children’s Day never ends.”

Priscilla Olayiwola from Jotlad School Ayobo, said: “Children Day is a day separated for children to have fun. Government should care for homeless children and build orphanage homes and equip them. Government should also help in their education to be something in life. They should be welfare programmes for brilliant and indigent kids across the country to encourage us to read more.”

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