Celebrating children, preserving their future

THIS year’s Children’s Day celebration is a milestone that fills our hearts with gratitude, joy, excitement, and honour. Children’s Day has stood tall as the pride torchbearer not only of the nation but of the entire world. It is gratifying to witness and celebrate this year’s Children’s Day anniversary globally.

Children’s Day should be viewed as more than just a fun celebration; it should serve as a meaningful reminder that children are not only the leaders of tomorrow but also valuable members of society today. Their contributions will shape and transform our nation, whether in a positive or negative way. Right from the cradle, God, the creator of the universe, including the children we are celebrating today, did not take the issue of children lightly. Children’s Day is a special joyful day set aside to celebrate the smiles, importance, relevance, strength, existence, recognition, ingenuity, creativity, and dreams of children.  

We thank God for blessing our nation with a large number of agile, intelligent, and responsible children and youth. If we invest in them spiritually, academically, and culturally, they will positively transform our nation. It is only natural not to value what we do not invest in; values emerge from intentionality and the effort individuals put into what they believe in.

Therefore, the government, private investors, community leaders, religious organisations, and especially parents should begin to place greater emphasis on the mental, emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual development of children. Every creation of God holds value; how much more so do our children?

This article aims to encourage both parents and the government to invest adequately in our children to ensure the transformation of our nation, both now and in the future. To celebrate our children and secure their futures, they must receive proper training.

While the primary responsibility for raising a child into a responsible member of society lies with the parents, scripture emphasizes the importance of training children in the right way. If done correctly, these children will carry those lessons into adulthood. Comprehensive training is essential to develop well-rounded individuals who fear God and can become instruments of change and progress within society.

To ensure a child’s future is preserved and celebrated, they require proper care and attention. Unfortunately, the statistics from UNICEF’s 2025 Humanitarian Action for Children report are quite concerning.

It is estimated that out of 8.8 million people affected by violence in the North East, North West, and North Central regions of Nigeria, 4.9 million are children deprived of access to security, health, nutrition, education, clean water, hygiene, and sanitation. This does not include children in other parts of Nigeria who face various challenges. This serves as a clarion call to government officials and policymakers to prioritize children’s needs across all sectors. If children are victims of social unrest, a struggling economy, and poor governance, how can they be prepared for the future?

For a child to be celebrated, we must eliminate the spirit of laziness and slothfulness that hinders productivity. It is important to remember that a child’s mind is a place where any idea or imagination can become a reality. Therefore, children must be placed in an environment that fosters critical and imaginative thinking, creativity, and emotional stability.

Once a child develops all these, obedience, honesty, and good morals should also be included in his/her formative growth. Children and youths aiming to be celebrated and preserved for the future must desist from the spirit of lust, sexual perversion, greed, the craze for wealth acquisition, inordinate ambition/affection, and pride. They must also shift attention from crimes, drug addiction, prostitution, and other unethical acts.  

Parenting should no longer be carried out by proxy, as biological fathers and mothers leave their children to caregivers while pursuing careers and earning a living. Unfortunately, these children spend a greater part of their valuable time largely on social media or watching movies on television without adequate supervision. The role of government in making children worthy of celebration and preserving them for the future cannot be overemphasised. The government has to make life bearable for the children and create a conducive environment for them to live and learn comfortably.  

Political leaders should prioritize children in their manifestos, and the government and policymakers should focus on formulating and implementing child-friendly policies that positively impact both children and their parents, as well as the nation’s economy. As a Yoruba adage states, “The ease of the rope is the ease of the bird that lies on the rope.” A country is evaluated by how it values the lives of its children, including the vulnerable, and by how it invests in their education, health, safety, freedom, and nutrition. The children being celebrated today must be given hope and reasons to smile tomorrow.

In commemorating Children’s Day, this article urges the government not only to celebrate and recognize outstanding students who have graduated with First Class Honours or distinctions at their respective tertiary institutions but also to ensure they are not treated like commodities to be exported to foreign countries. Special attention should be given to students in the Social Sciences and Humanities, as there seems to be a disproportionate focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). It is disheartening for First Class graduates to remain unemployed, and they should be prioritised and properly mentored.

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For every child out there, you should come to understand early enough the importance of living a disciplined, organised, and morally upright life. Bear in mind consistently that honesty is the best policy. Work hard and smart, be diligent, and believe in service and industry.

Seek professional and appropriate counsel before you choose a career path. Pursue professional certifications targeted towards organisational and societal development. You are not too young to make a difference in your environment. Say no to sinful and illegal acts and live an exemplary life anywhere you are. Be a change agent and advocate. Your future is not just something you wait for; it’s something you practice daily to achieve great success. There is the common saying that “Practice makes perfect.”  

Conclusion: Dear children, do not be scared to dream big.  

• Pastor Ogungbemi sent this piece via [email protected]