UNICEF, RSBC Mark Day Of African Child

The General Manager of the Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation, (RSBC) Ms Medline Tador has paid tribute to hundreds of South African children murdered on June 16, 1976 in Soweto by the South Africa police.

Ms Tador said the blood of those innocent kids cut down in their cause of their revolt against being treated as second class citizens in their own fatherland by the then apartheid regime in that country, fertilised the cry for freedom and accelerated adoption of democratic governance there.

The general manager who made the assertion at the celebration of this year’s Day of the African Child in Buguma, Asari Toru Local Government Area said the celebration was a tribute  to their country.

Represented by renowed broadcaster Mrs. Florence  Ekiye, Tador said the theme of this year’s celebration, “Planning and Budgeting for Children, our Collective Responsibility,” was apt and enjoined all to give children the attention they deserved.

In his contribution HRM Prof. T.J.T Princewill Amanyanabo of Kalabari and chairman Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council stated that it is a crucial call to all and sundry to prioritise for children  when making plans and budget in the family, as well as in government.

The Amanyanabo noted that our children are most valuable assets saying we should take care of them today so as to get the best from them tomorrow.

Furthermore he said by immortalising this day June 16 in 1991, African Heads of State and the United Nations were saying in effect that African children would never again be violated, abused and trampled upon as in the manner of the Soweto massacre. “As we celebrate the African child this resolve needs to be rediscovered”,  he added.

The monarch  however, regretted that despite efforts of African Government  and the UN, African children still suffered in human treatment in the hands of people who ought to protect them. Killing of children is in the increase, sexual Abuse, rape, ritual killing, abandonment, hunger trafficking HIV/AIDs, children dropping out of school, hawking  by children are still on going, he noted. Twelve chiefs graced the occasion.

Children’s parliament entertained the crown with Drama, dances and recitation. The event was sponsord by the RSBC in collaboration with the United Nation Childrens Fund, UNICEF.

It was a day of joy three secondary schools attended the occasion Kalabari National College Buguma, Community Secondary School Buguma and Kings College of Commerce Buguma.

Julie Jumbo