It is a day set aside by the Nigerian government to celebrate the Nigerian child, as well as to draw attention of the society towards the plight of children in the Nigerian society.
In today's news analysis, correspondent chronicles the journey of children's day celebration vis a vis the significance of the celebration to the Nigerian child.
Children's Day is a day recognized to celebrate children and also the day is celebrated on different calendar dates in different countries.
History has it that the pastor of the Universalist church of the Redeemer in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Rev Dr Charles Leonard celebrated the first children's day on the second Sunday of June 1855.
Dr Leonard held a special service on that day for the children and he named the day ROSE Day, although it was later named Flower Sunday and then children's day.
But the declaration of the day as a national holiday was first proclaimed by the Republic of Turkey on April 23 1929.
Irrespective of the different dates and accounts of children's day, it is pertinent to note that in August 1925, some 54 representatives from different countries gathered together in Geneva, Switzerland to convene the first world conference for the well-being of children, during which the Geneva Declaration Protecting Children was passed.
The proclamation made a strong appeal for the spiritual needs of children, relief for poor children, prevention of child's labour, reassessing the way that children are educated and other issues related to the welfare of children around the world.
After the conference, various government from around the world designated a day to be celebrated as children's day, as a way to encourage and bring joy to children as well as to draw the attention of the society to children issues.
However, Universal children's day is on November 20 ,as first proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1954 with the aim to encourage all countries to institute a date, firstly to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children and secondly to initiate action to benefit and promote the welfare of children around the world.
The Nigerian government on its part, set out May 27 every year for Children's Day.
On this day, public and private schools goes to open fields or stadium to participate in match pass and other activities, with officials from the ministry of education on ground to witness the occasion.
Some parents and guardians, takes their kids and wards to recreational centers, amusement parks and eatries to celebrate them.
Wives of political office holders, well to do individuals in the society and some religious bodies organizes parties for children, especially for orphans or the less privileged in the society.
As Nigeria kids from across the federation celebrate today as children's day, government at all levels, parents, guardians, non governmental organizations NGOs that are saddled with the welfare of children amongst other stakeholders, must pay attention to addressing issues that will enhance the overall growth of the Nigerian child who are leaders of tomorrow.
These stakeholders should ensure that child labor, child trafficking, child abuse, illitracy in children amongst others are all address.
Parents and guardians on their parts, should learn how to raise their kids and wards in the fear of God, respect for mankind and also inculcate morals,cultural values and norm.
Places of learning and any centers for impacting knowledge, be it religious or otherwise should at all times always equip the children with requisite information, teaches and skills, they need to become useful to themselves and the society at large.
As it is often believe that there is a seed of greatness in every child but one should know that the seed can only grow when the child is given the right platform to operate and grow.
And the power to make that happen lies between you and I.
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