GOOD PARENTING IS AN UNDERPIN FOR A CREATIVE SOCIETY –GOV. EMMANUEL

…salutes A’ibom Children on National Day Celebration

Anietie Essia, Uyo

The Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Deacon Udom Emmanuel has stated that good parenting which is considered as the first point of contact to all the children serves as an underpin towards having an holistic, creative cum a prosperous society.

Deacon Udom Emmanuel made the divulge on Saturday during the National Children’s Day Celebration at the Uyo Township Stadium with the theme; ”The State of The Nigerian Children Today: Proper Parenting for Value Reorientation and National Consciousness.” He stated that Akwa Ibom State children must be pushed, supported and encouraged to register their names on the frontiers of the global society, added that his administration since 2015 has prioritized the welfare and well-being of the children most particularly in the educational sector.

Represented by the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem while highlighting this year’s theme disclosed that the Governor in 2019 organized an educational submit in the state which today, its core objectives of creative parenting of future leaders, creative parenting of a sane society, creation of jobs and enhancing a creative workforce within the system is said to have been encapsulated in the theme for this year’s celebration of Children’s Day.

Dr. Ekuwem calls on parents to inculcate on their wards good morals and attitudinal values that would aid them translate the knowledge they have acquired to a productive venture thereby building a progressive and prosperous Akwa Ibom State in a bid to achieve a sense of purpose, commitment for the overall good of mankind.

In her separate remarks, The Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Ini Adiakpan expressed delight for standing in the midst of great leaders of Akwa Ibom and Nigeria at large in the near future which she described them as the trustees of the commonwealth of the society.

Dr. Adiakpan reminded the children that Governor Udom Emmanuel had from the inception of his administration evolved policies and programmes which is targeted at changing the academic, social, religious and mental state cum fortunes of the children with a total overhaul of the education sector through a massive rehabilitation and construction of schools across the three senatorial districts of the state, funding of the free and compulsory education from primary to secondary schools as well as providing quality facilities and a secured, conducive environment for the pupils and students to enhance effective learning.

She noted that the state government is one of the few states in the country were the Child Rights Act Law and other related laws had since been enacted and domesticated towards protecting and safeguarding the children against internal and external attacks.

“By the existence of these laws, the various forms of child abuses have been prohibited, making the offenders liable to jail by law. It is worthy of note, that these policies and programmes were put in place to ensure the security and well-being of our children.” She said.

The Women Affairs Boss thanked and appreciated the wife of the state Governor, Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs) Martha Udom Emmanuel, for championing the cause of children in the state through the intervention of her pet project, the Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path-Initiative (FEYReP), hinted that the records of numerous intervention programmes executed by FEYReP since 2015 had ushered in life-touching benefits to so many families and communities in our state.

She commended parents and guardians who have truly lived up to expectations in their parenting by giving the children the attention and care they deserve.

“Since the bedrock of child upbringing in any given society remains a functional household, I urge the parents, guardians and other care-givers to ensure effective parenting by providing needed care, treatment, attention, and moral values the children require to be normal, well-behaved and useful members of their families in particular, and the society as a whole.” She added.

She however noted that with the inculcation of the right values in the children, the country will definitely surmount her multi-faceted socio-economic challenges in the nearest future which shall complement government efforts in offering the best for the Akwa Ibom children.

Dr. Ini Adiakpan charged the children to be obedient and show respect to elders, constituted authorities and shun all forms of social vices to enable them live a fulfilled life in the future.

The event witnessed Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebiet, Honourable Commissioner for Education, Permanent Secretaries, amongst others.

Highpoint of the 2023 National Children’s Day Celebration featured match-pass and cultural dances by different participating schools in the state.