Makarios Initiative for Health and Humanitarian Development, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) commemorated the 2025 International Day of African Child (IDAC) with 1500 pupils drawn from schools across Lagos.

The Co-founder of the organisation, Mrs Lauretta Patrick-Nwachi, also launched a book, ‘’Kika’s Examination, A True Life Story’’ to campaign against examination malpractices.

Patrick-Nwachi said her daughter’s experience while writing Common Entrance Exam made her realised that there was need to kick against such, which birth to the book.

“So for this particular day, we are trying to celebrate the children, to tell them they are special children. They don’t have to line up to tell us like some children did in in Soweto in 1976, that there is poor quality education.

“If you visit schools, especially public schools, you will know that there is a lot we can do for our society to change. Government has a lot it is doing and we must support them.

“There is so much decadence in academia, but there is something we can do as parents. The children are our future. We cannot wait for them to call on us, like the children of Soweto.”

Also, Dr Patrick Nwachi, the Co-Founder of NGO, highlighted the resilience and academic excellence of the African child, urging the community to take children seriously.

Nwachi said the theme for the 2025 IDAC:’’Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress Since 2010’’, encourages parents to plan for their children’s education and all stakeholders should including the government through impactful planning and budgeting .

In his keynote address, the Founder, Coscharis Group, Dr Cosmas Maduka, encouraged young people to be interested in education aside widening their horizons.

Maduka urged children to see life as a school and focus on attitude and self-improvement that would add meaning to livelihood.

“This is the time to determine where you want to see yourself. Visualise yourself 10 years to come, what plans do you have for it?

“I can testify that there is no goal that is too extreme, no mountain is too high, no dream is unachievable. It all depends on your determination and willingness to succeed,’’ he said.