Nigeria needs creative minds to grow its economy, says children’s NGO

CHILDREN between the ages of five to 12 years recently explored their creative and intellectual abilities on the way forward concerning the country’s declining economy.

The children gathered at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Port Harcourt to commemorate the 2015 Children’s Day, an event organised by the Exceptional Childcare Initiative (ECCI) an organization that focuses on the cognitive development of Nigerian children.

In brief interactions, the children expressed concern that Nigeria’s economic growth may remain sluggish in the global economy if nothing serious and urgent was done.

The children, however, reasoned that to address the malaise, government needs to tackle the leadership crisis facing the country, ensure that those who lead the nation have good and intellectual upbringing.

To achieve the target, the children insisted that government needs to put up policies that would compel parents to send their wards to school and as well address the longstanding infrastructural decay in the country, especially in schools.

Coordinator of ECCI, Dr. Abazie Onyema, who also expressed concern on the future of the Nigerian Child, said Nigeria needs creative and divergent minds to move its economy forward at this present challenging period.

According to her: “Nigeria at this stage do not need people who think the same way, and the way to achieve this is to introduce the children to early studies through books, good books that can protect the minds of our future generation and make them great leaders.”

Onyema also charged the government to address the challenge of discrimination between children from rich homes and those from poor backgrounds where some schools are not meant for children from poor homes.

She said: “In Nigeria, we have a parallel line for children. It was not like this in the past, we need to tackle this challenge urgently, otherwise, the ones in the parallel will grow to become a threat or leaders to the other.”

“Every child should have equal right to basic foundation, exposure, empowerment, in fact, it is high time we start early to groom every child well.”

She expressed confidence that Nigerian children would transform the country to be like the United States of America if given the right opportunity and nurtured positively.

“Nigerians need to make conscious effort to groom and impact the children positively, there is need to create a healthy environment for a better upbringing of children,” she said.

The May 27 event, indeed, rekindled smiles and joy in the heart and faces of the Lifetime Care Orphanage Home visited by the ECCI children. It also attracted children from various part of Port Harcourt.

The visit was to awaken the ECCI children to compassion and enable them differentiate it from pity and empathy. It was also meant to give them a sense of belonging, usher in some excitement into their lives by formally inviting them to their “Fun Day with Friends” party at the Children’s park of Nigerian Air Force Base Port Harcourt, venue of the programme.

The Commander in charge of 97 SOG, PortHarcourt, Air Cdr, O.R Phillip, who graced the occasion with his wife and children, urged parents to develop great love for their children to enable them get the best out from them.