Oil rich Delta state Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has described education as panacea for sustainable growth of the Nigerian child and called on parents and guardians to genuinely give guaranty to their children’s early education to enable them face future challenges.
The governor, a guest at the Delta State Children’s Parliament Session stated this while declaring the 2013 National Children’s Day celebration open at the Delta State House of Assembly Chambers, Asaba.
Uduaghan, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN), enjoined parents to pay give adequate attention to the upbringing of their children and wards to make them useful to society through attainment of self-actualization.
He commended the Delta State Children Parliament and warned them against youthful vices but rather imbibe the virtues of respect and hard work, explaining that the enactment of the Child Right Act by the Delta State Government is to ensure proper education of the child at the foundation stage.
He listed areas of priority to the child by the state government to include, free medical programme for 0-5 years, free treatment to pregnant women, free primary school fees, payment of WAEC and NECO fees to indigent Deltans and offer of bursary/scholarship to Deltans.
Speaker of the Children’s parliament, Enobere Valentina Elohor, presided of the plenary session of the children’s parliament which held at the hallowed chambers of the Delta state House of Assembly.
The parliamentarians deliberated on myriad of issues of needs, rights and plight of the child and made far-reaching resolutions that would improve the lives of Delta State children.
Children from across the state however defied the hot afternoon sun and shoddy arrangement by the organizers to attended the Children’ Day Anniversary which held concurrently at the state Assembly Complex.
Blank NEWS Online source revealed that the organizers had requested for few seats despite the expected large turnout of children, who were neither entertained nor given gift items.
Our eyewitness source further disclosed that school teachers, parents and guardians were left to take responsibility for their students/pupils and wards by making alternative arrangement for feeding, water and chairs which the organizers failed to provide.
Recall that the 2nd Delta State Children’s Parliament was inaugurated in May 2012 to provide opportunity for children to come together and review issues of Child Rights instruments, stipulated in the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the child.
The Children parliament has representatives from the 25 local government areas of the state, including children with special need.
