Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila and Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege are expected to attend the 2021 National Children’s Dialogue in Abuja.
The event is organized by the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Children of Africa Leadership and Values Development Initiative (CALDEV) is slated for Saturday, November 20, 2021, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre.
The 20th November 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.
CALDEV said in a press statement signed by its Founder/President, Hon. Bamidele Salam, this year’s edition is aimed at drawing the needed attention of leaders, policymakers and other stakeholders in Nigeria as part of efforts to ensure that the Nigerian child begins to have conversations around issues that create an enabling environment for a peaceful co-existence.
According to him, the event will feature children panel sessions, the launch of two books namely: ‘Leaders of our Dream 2 and 160 Things Every Child Should Know About the Nigerian Constitution, Child Rights Act and other Laws,’ Award presentation to philanthropists and leadership ideas contests.
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).
According to the Organisers, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State is to receive Child-Friendly State Governor award; Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum – Education & Child-Friendly State Governor award; Senator Rochas Okorocha – Outstanding Education Philanthropist award; Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi – Most Child-Friendly First Lady award while Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu is to receive the Women and Child-Friendly First Lady award.
Others are: Her Excellency Dame Edith Okowa, (Best Healthcare Support First Lady) while Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) will also be given special recognition for their respective roles in advancing education in Nigeria.
Hon. 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”.
With the theme: ‘Nigerian Child and The National Unity Project’, the dialogue will feature children between the ages of 12 and 17 from all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The selected delegates will make presentations to the audience comprising of leaders, Legislators, policymakers, the diplomatic community, international development partners and major stakeholders on the various sub-themes of the programme.
The sub-themes include: Impact of Social Unrest on children; Impacts of COVID 19 on children; safe Schools initiatives; state of the Nigerian child; reactivating the reading culture among children; children and participatory governance in homes, schools and organizations; solving the problem of out of school children; child labour in the 21st century; the menace of Child Trafficking in Africa and gender-based violence amongst others.
The aims and objectives of the event include: “Build a culture of togetherness amongst the children to foster tolerance, understanding and nurture a better sense of National unity; create opportunities for dialogues, friendships and networking for our children; create a platform for leaders, and policymakers to listen to children perspectives on local, national and international issues; imbue in children forward-looking tendencies; provide an entry inspirational platform to advocate for children’s rights; help to promote and celebrate children’s rights; providing mentoring opportunities for child rights advocates and development workers and assist in the future leadership recruitment process.
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