CHILDREN’S DAY: OGUN URGE CHILDREN TO BE STRONG WILLED, AVOID PEER PREASURE
Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Olufunmilayo Efuwape, has charged Children, particularly, girl-child, to be determined and avoid pressure of peer group, in order to attain greater height and a guaranteed future.
Hon. Efuwape gave this advice at the celebration of the year 2020 virtual children’s day celebration, held at the Ogun Tech hub, Kobape Abeokuta, with the theme “Promoting Girl-Child Education for Sustainable Development”.
According to her, “being a girl does not stop you from getting to wherever you want to in life; as a living witness, I know what it takes to make it in life. With determination and strong will, you can do what the opposite sex can do, even better”.
She encouraged the children to avoid drugs and be studious, adding that though, there should be room for side attraction, however, it should not be to the extreme, as it’s bound to have negative effect on them.
The Commissioner stated further that her Ministry was working on a policy that would cater for the rights of every girl-child, where relevant agencies would be part of the Committee, to come up with modalities, assuring that once the policy is implemented, any girl-child with complaints would know where to go to.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Oluranti Oladeinde, said, celebration was aimed at promoting international unity and awareness for the improvement of children’s welfare and enhancement of the right of the child worldwide.
Oladeinde added that the usual colourful and vibrant outdoor gathering with match pass could not take place, due to covid-19 lockdown restriction, nevertheless, the State has joined other states of the federation to celebrate this year’s 2020 virtual Children’s Day in grand style.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, in her goodwill message called on children to be obedient to their parents and teachers, who would always be available to use their wealth of experience to put them on the right track.
Parts of activities marking the day were; quiz competition, poem recitation, cultural and instrumental display by students from different schools in the three Senatorial Districts of the State.
By Olawale Olayinka
