The Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, and other notable Nigerians are expected at the National Children’s Dialogue to be held in Abuja on Saturday.
The dialogue is organised by the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and a non-governmental organisation, Children of Africa Leadership and Values Development Initiative.
November 20 of every year is set aside by the United Nations as the Universal Children’s Day to celebrate children across the world and draw needed attention to their plight.
The Founder/President of CALDEV, Bamidele Salam, in a statement issued on Wednesday and titled ‘Osinbajo, Gbajabiamila, Omo-Agege to attend National Children’s Dialogue in Abuja,’ said this year’s edition is aimed at drawing the needed attention of leaders, policymakers and other stakeholders in Nigeria.
Salam, who is a member of the House, added that this is part of the efforts to ensure that the Nigerian child begins to have conversations around issues that create an enabling environment for a peaceful co-existence.
He said the event will feature children panel sessions, award presentations to philanthropists, leadership ideas contests, and the launching of two books titled ‘Leaders of Our Dream 2’ and ‘160 Things Every Child Should Know About the Nigerian Constitution, Child Rights Act and Other Laws.’
According to the statement, the dialogue, which is themed ‘Nigerian Child and the National Unity Project,’ will feature children between the ages of 12 and 17 from all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
It also said the selected delegates will make presentations to the audience comprising leaders, legislators, policymakers, the diplomatic community, international development partners and major stakeholders on the various sub-themes of the programme.
The statement partly read, “Those billed to receive awards are in various categories are Emmanuella Samuel (Early Achievers Award in Entertainment as a mark of recognition for creativity and excellence as the most popular child celebrity); Dooshima Avar (Early Achievers Award in Education category in recognition of excellence at Intercontinental Spelling Bee Competition); and Faith Odunsi (Early Achievers Award in Mathematics for her distinction at the Global Open Mathematics Competition).
“His Excellency, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Child-Friendly State Governor); His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum (Education & Child-Friendly State Governor); His Excellency, Senator Rochas Okorocha (Outstanding Education Philanthropist); Her Excellency, Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi (Most Child-Friendly First Lady); and Her Excellency, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu (Women and Child-Friendly First Lady).
“Others are Her Excellency, Dame Edith Okowa (Best Healthcare Support First Lady); while the Universal Basic Education Commission and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund will also be given special recognitions for their respective roles in advancing education in Nigeria.”
Salam said, “This event is particularly important at this critical point in our national existence because of the divisive rhetoric currently deepening ethnic, political and religious divides in the country. We have identified the fact that peaceful co-existence can only be assured and development ultimately achieved, if we close ranks and speak with one voice irrespective of what part of the country we come from or our religious adherence.”
Copyright PUNCH.
