Rivers: Investment in children, best legacy — First Lady Valerie Fubara 

…Urges crackdown on child labour, trafficking

By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt

Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that the most enduring legacy is investment in children to harness their full potential for self-development and positive impact on the larger society.

This is even as the Rivers State First Lady has called on relevant government agencies to intensify measures towards achieving total crackdown on practices that promote child labour and trafficking.

Lady Fubara stated these while speaking at twin activities by the State Government to mark the 2024 Children’s Day celebrations in Port Harcourt on Monday.

Speaking shortly after taking salute during the official march past at the Sharks  Stadium, Port Harcourt, Lady Fubara, who applauded the theme of this year’s celebration: “Investing in the Future Means Investing in our Children,” called for the prioritisation of the development and wellbeing of children, noting that such investment transcends the individual and has ripple effects on the larger society.

”Today, when we’re gathered to celebrate Children’s Day, we are reminded of the invaluable treasure we hold in our hands, the promise of our future, embodied in their innocence, curiosity and boundless potentials of our children, the theme of this year’s celebration: ‘investing in the future means investing in our children,’ underscores our responsibility towards generations to come.

“These responsibilities,” she pointed out, “involve nurturing, guiding and inspiring our children to be architects of a brighter future,” the First Lady said.

She further explained that investing in children goes beyond mere provision of basic needs of ensuring access to education and healthcare which are essential components, but involves creating an enabling environment that fosters their holistic development, intellectually, socially, emotionally and ethically.

According to her, “Investment in our children is about instituting in them the values of compassion, empathy and responsibility for diversity, laying the foundation of a society built on inclusivity and understanding, instilling in them the skills of knowledge and understanding to navigate an ever changing world.”

While speaking at the party organised for children in the State at Government House, Port Harcourt, with the theme: ‘For Every Child, Every Right,’ the Rivers First Lady pointed to how inimical child labour and trafficking are in hampering healthy growth and well-being of children, which she said t should be tackled head-long.

“It is apparent that more efforts still need to be made to continue tackling issues related to our children’s growth and well-being, especially in the area of child labour and trafficking, which are endemic in our society today.

“I call on relevant government agencies to step up the campaign against such evil practices and ensure the safety of our children as they remain the hope of our nation and the potential leaders of tomorrow.

“I urge parents not to be unduly pressured, either by the temporary economic challenges or by societal influences, to engage in such inhuman practice of child labour or trafficking. It is not only an evil against humanity, but also a sin against God,” she said.

Lady Fubara said it is a privilege for her to host children in the State, who are the future hope of society, on such auspicious occasion, and to share in their joy on a day designated for them globally.

The  State First Lady emphasised that in evaluating the priority of the day, it was pertinent to focus on what the Rivers State Government has started doing for them under the watch of her husband, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, particularly in prioritising their education.

Lady Fubara said, “Several policy initiatives are being taken to rebrand and reposition the educational sector, by strengthening the operations and promoting the emergence of SMART Schools through the remodeling of infrastructure and upgrading of learning equipment.

“I am aware that this administration has taken up examination fees for school children and further purchased books and instructional materials to deepen teaching and improve learning.

“We are truly grateful to His Excellency, the Governor, for always thinking ahead to cater for our children. This clearly demonstrates our determined efforts at building the future we definitely want to see, if we want a tomorrow with great men and women,” Lady Fubara said.

She stated the need for sustained, but deliberate efforts in planning for the future with greater investment made that will manifest in the well-being of children.

The First Lady recalled the recent gesture of the wife of Nigeria’s President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who, with the ‘Renewed Hope Initiative,’ allowed her office to coordinate the donation of 50,000 exercise books to public schools in Rivers State.

“This effort was to ensure that our children do not lack the basic materials required of them to engage in the learning process.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we are here to celebrate our children, and we must continue to pray for them and to guide them according to the dictates of God Almighty, who gave them to us to look after,” the First Lady posited.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Dr Justina Jumbo, had stated that prioritising the welfare of children was paramount, especially in this period of prevailing social and moral decadence in our society.

She said the celebration of Children’s Day helps to bring issues bothering on the welfare of children to the fore and urged governments at all levels and the private sector to refocus their plans by investing in the future of the children.

The events featured march past, presentation of gifts to participating schools, unity dance performed by 23 children representing the LGAs of the State and other forms of games.

In the nursery category, Family Support Nursery School emerged first position in the march past, while UPE Model Nursery School, Bundu came second.

In the Primary School Category, Police Children School emerged first position, while State Primary School, Elekahia, and Distinct Victory Field came second and third, respectively.

Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri, came first in the junior secondary category, while Butterstone and Sunrise Secondary schools came second and third, respectively.

For the Senior Secondary Schools’ category, Model Secondary School, GRA, Port Harcourt, came first, while Vivid Model School and Government Secondary School  Borokiri came second and third, respectively.

For the paramilitary category, Police Comprehensive Secondary School came first, while Nigeria Navy Secondary School, Borkiri came second.

Lady Fubara, accompanied by some dignitaries, cut the 2024 Children’s Day Party Cake at Government House playground.