From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
In commemoration of the 2023 National Children’s Day Celebration in Nigeria, Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN) partnered Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and other organizations in organizing a funfair for primary school children within the FCT, Abuja.
The programme which was held at the NTA Arena, Area 11 Garki, Abuja, was aimed at inculcating the values of tolerance, love and peaceful coexistence in children, thereby promoting a culture of peace among children of divergent ethno-religious background in their respective classrooms, schools, families and the society at large.
Over 1000 school children from schools within Abuja and its environs participated in the event, with notable personalities and dignitaries including Rev. John Joseph Hayab, the Country Director of GPFN; representative of Minister for Women Affairs, Mrs. Christiana Olikot; the Director General NTA, Comrade Abdulhamid Salihu Dembos; Executive Secretary FCDA, Shehu Hadi Ahmed; and Mr. Ortaerga Terngu representing the Director, FIRS among others, in attendance.
Director General of NTA, Dembos, in his welcome remarks expressed delight and appreciation to GPFN and other partners for financial and moral supports that made the event successful, and prayed the partnership would be sustained leading into several other positive engagements that would build unity and strengthen national cohesion.
He said to the children, “today is your day and we all are here because of you. We urge you to have fun and above all learn something positive by making good friends from other schools.”
Rev. Hayab, while speaking as a special guest at the event said the GPFN was proud to associate and partner with the acclaimed largest television network in Africa, the NTA, adding that in the midst of children is the best place to be, because of their openness, genuine love, transparency and freedom of mind devoid of any form of sentiments.
He said the GPFN holds one thing sacrosanct which is the sanctity of human life and the fact that as humans we are members of one family under God.
He therefore called on the children to make the most of the day by having fun, and above all imbibing a culture of love and tolerance for one another irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliation.
He tasked parents and teachers with the noblest responsibilities of raising and training children who are the future of the society, and also called on adults to learn from the children the virtues of love, tolerance and forgiveness if there must be a peaceful Nigeria.
In their separate goodwill messages, other dignitaries felicitated with the children and stressed the need for parents to inculcate in the children the culture of discipline, tolerance, love, respect and hard work.
Parents were also urged to instil the fear of God in their children with which they can grow into more useful, productive and peace-loving citizens.
There were march-pass by different schools with drums and sounds from Police Children School Abuja. Other activities were cultural dance, poetry recitations amongst others all of which trilled the guests, parents and everyone around.
Over 20 schools, notably, High Achievers, Sound Foundation, Rosa Mystical, High Grade Int’l School, Maraba, Abuja Int’l Academy, Amazing Springs Int’l Academy, School for the Deaf Kuje, School for the Blind Jabi, School for the Special Needs Kuje, Anglican Comprehensive Secondary School Kubwa, Fountain Primary School Jikwoyi among several others, participated in the event.