Since we were young and long before that time, I was told , we have been used to the shouts of ‘ happy Children’s Day ‘ on every 27th day of May.
I have noticed that, even the glamour associated with the Children’s Day have continued to dwindle year in year out.
Yet, we all say that ‘ Children are the Leaders of tomorrow ‘!
Question is, what commitment have we been dedicating to ensure that the future of our Children are secured beyond the rhetorics?
What deliberate efforts have we been dedicating towards enhancing and sustaining their future?
For me, the time has come for Leadership to wake up to the responsibilities and realization that you can not build a greater tomorrow if you fail to build the young generation.
The time has come for us all to call on Leadership to see the Children’s Day celebration beyond rhetorics but as one that we need to rededicate ourselves and channel resources towards moulding an enviable future for them.
Most of us must have listened to the lyrics of this song composed by our parents and grandparents in appreciation of Awolowo. ( Aye Awolowo yi ma ti daa. Omo Talaka nsoyinbo, aye Awolowo yi ma ti daa).
What did Awolowo get right? Why is it that up till today, we still make him a reference point when measuring measure good governance?
I can conveniently answer those questions.
Awolowo and his followers did not see Government as an avenue to enrich themselves and build fortunes for their unborn children.
They saw governance as a sacred call to serve the people.
They did not discriminate against the children of the poor.
Infact, both their children and the children of the poor attended the same public schools.
Is that the case today? Are the children of those in position of authority attending public schools they claim to be running free Education?
As I join others to congratulate the Nigerian children on the occasion of this year’s Children’s Day celebration, I want to use the opportunity to invite the attention of those concerned to the challenges facing these Leaders of tomorrow.
Beyond the rhetorics, let us genuinely be committed to building a stronger and dependable future for the children of both the poor and the rich.
Congratulations to our beautiful children.
