Social/Kiddies
How Rivers FIDA Celebrated The African Child

On June 16, 2021, Africa celebrated the International Day of the African Child, a day set aside to raise awareness on the importance of education for children in Africa.
The theme of this year’s celebration was;”30 years after the adoption of Charters: accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2040 for an African fit for children “.The Day of the African Child has been celebrated every year since 1991,when it was first initiated by the then Organisation of African Unity.
In Nigeria, the celebration kicked off with a call on all stakeholders to protect the rights of children.
The call was made in Abuja at the celebration of the Day of the African Child (DAC) by the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission,Mr Tony Ojukwu,who urged all Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDAs) and child-focused organisations to adopt some of the strategies like aligning with the national implementation plans of child rights/laws with international action plans, SDGs’ agenda to ensure a more holistic and measurable implementation outcome.
The executive secretary, who was represented by the Director, Political and Civil Education Rights of the Commission,Mr Abdulraham Yakubu, also urged the organisations to explore new tools and innovations like technology and social media to accelerate the implementation of child- based laws and policies in the country.
Furthermore, he charged the organisations to adopt and ensure universal health services for all children.
Equal access and compulsory education for all children, including rural communities, the girl-child, disabled and children in conflict, were also suggested to be implemented by stakeholders.
The executive secretary also challenged them to address the root causes of the conflict and engage early warning mechanisms to eliminate the impact of armed conflict on children.
Here in Rivers State,the International Federation of Female Lawyers(FIDA), Rivers State Branch in partnership with the Women and Young World Unit of The Tide Newspapers,Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, last Friday commemorated the International Day of the African Child at primary and secondary schools in Kalio-Ama, Okrika Local Government Area.
It was an interactive forum, where discussions with the pupils and students on various topics took place.It was an eye-opener and instructive engagement as some of the pupils and students expressed delight over the knowledge gained from the interaction. They noted that this was the first time they were made to know and get this kind of information about their rights.
The topics presented dwelled on sexual violence and molestation -How to protect yourself and a third party, Cyberbulling and protection, Positive use of the internet, Career talk and rights and responsibilities of a child.
In a chat with some of the pupils and students after the interactive forum,they expressed enthusiasm for the knowledge gained from the programme.
A primary five pupil of State Primary School, Kalio-Ama, Okrika Miss Tamunomiebaka Loveday, said,” I learnt that if anybody wants to touch my private part I should shout and run.If they threaten me that they will kill me,I should tell them that they cannot kill me and run”. She also learnt that,she has right over her body and report anybody touching her body even in her house, she should go to the Police Station and report.
Also a primary five pupil of State Primary School, Kalio-Ama, Okrika, Master Progress Tamunosimie, said, “I was told not to let nobody touch my private part and buttocks,my shoulder and my mouth, because they are private to me. Anybody that wants to do any of those things,we should shout and say no and tell any elder around”.
Also, Master JSS1 student of Community Secondary School! Kalio-Ama, Precious Tamunotepiba, said,”we were told that it is not good to do bad things by touching our sisters,that it is not of God.If we see anybody doing wrong things, like sex in the school,I should call FIDA”.
In the same vein, a JSS1 student of CSS,Kalio-Ama Miss Rosemary Mustaphar, said,”the aunties told us that we should not do sex,when somebody tells us to do it,even if it is our brothers,uncle or Dad,we should report.I learnt that we should not go to Facebook and post our full names, image and address,it is not good because of criminals”.
An SS 3 student of CSS,Kalio-Ama, Miss Adams Grace said,”we were taught as girls to dress properly to avoid bad things.That our body belongs to us,we should not allow anybody to touch us privately.
Also,we should not use the internet for immoral things, that we should use it for something that will benefit us.For career,we should not choose courses because of friends,we should choose careers we can do well.
Lastly, Master David Pan some,SS2 student also of CSS Kalio-Ama said,”we learn that we should make good use of the internet because it gives us some good information but we should not use it to check pornographic pictures which is not good for us.Also,we should cover our private parts, both boys and girls, because it belongs to us.
We were told that if we see anyone involved in rape,we should report to the nearest Police”.
In a separate interview, the Vice Principal of CSS,Kalio Ama, Mr Turbo George, stated that the programme was worthwhile and commendable in the sense that the children had interacted with worthy achievers and role models.
He added that,”this is a good thing for the children because seeing these calibre of women coming to talk to them in their local community has given the chilren a sense of belonging.
After the forum,the group paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Kalio-Ama Council of Chiefs,Chief Johnson Amiemiesimeaye Abi Kalio,who expressed satisfaction about information gained by the children said,this will help them greatly.
Chief Kalio commended the group for visiting Kalio-Ama to educate the children, noting that the community was safe.
He stated that,”nowadays boys and girls behave as if life is meaningless but that the information they have gained from this interactive programme will help checkmate them on their sexual activities and attitudes.
He however, appealed to the group to come back on a later date for a Townhall meeting with chiefs and parents so that they are intimated with some of these information.
Earlier, in her speech,the Acting Chairperson of FIDA,Rivers State, Barr(Mrs) Nnenna Igbokwe, stated that the group was in Kalio-Ama to celebrate the International Day of the African Child, which is celebrated on the 16th of June every year,
The chairperson noted that children were always at the mercy of whoever they found themselves with and therefore needed adequate protection from all forms of violence. She however thanked the chief and the school authorities for the opportunity given the group to sensitise the children on their rights and privileges adding that,”for us at FIDA,we are focusing on the security of our children in the society today”.
By: Ibinabo Ogolo
Social/Kiddies
Need For Girl-Child Education In Society
Girl-child education is a way by which a girl- child is being exposed through formal education for proper education.
It is a process whereby a girl-child is being exposed to some certain things according to “teachmit@wp”.
Girl-child education refers to the aspect of education that ends at developing the skills and knowledge of girls and women no matter their backgrounds.
Some parents think that educating a girl- child is wasting of their resources. No. When a female child is educated, it gives her that respect even the husband cannot treat her anyhow because he will know her worth.
The importance of educating the girl- child cannot be overemphasised. It helps to empower the country and makes them have a better life. Once they are educated, they realise the importance of exhibiting good hygiene habits.
It may interest you to know that when a girl-child is educated, she has a sense of belonging in the society. In Nigeria nowadays, they have the potential of becoming governors, chairmen of local government areas, among others.
The tendency of taking cognisance of the importance of reduction in child bearing is high. When a woman is educated, the level in which she will give birth will reduce considering the dangers inherent.
Firstly, she will calculate herself and know when to conceive, although with the consent of her husband and the numbers of children she wants.
A girl who is educated will know how to educate her children properly. She will be of good benefits to the family.
Truly, a girl who is not properly educated will suffer lack of knowledge, fall into early marriage which will lead into early pregnancy. Some of these can cause domestic violence.
Women need education because without proper knowledge, a woman cannot run her home properly. A woman that is educated leads her home aright.
Some men use and take advantage of uneducated women by rendering all kinds of abuses on them, some rape their wives in course of making love and others insults their wives in public all because there is no education. In life, males and females should be educated without discrimination.
Furthermore, educating a girl-child is like investing in a big business that one will not run into a loss.
According to Dr Shaifali, girls’ education is like sowing the seed which gives rise to a revitalised, cheerful and full-grown family plants.
She also said educated women have the capacity to bring socio- economic changes.
Growing up from the family of three, my father told me that he was not ready to train a female child and when I asked why, he said: ” because when you will grow and become great, then, a man will come from nowhere and marry you and all my money will be wasted. When you marry, your name will be changed that means all your riches and wealth will become your husband’s own because you people are one”.
Frankly, I was very bitter with myself and I started questioning God that why was I not created as man, but I took it upon myself that weather the devil likes it or not, I will prove my father wrong by going to school and I will show the difference.
As parents when training children we should not think less of any child because every child is important and have value.
Every child is a blessing from God. This is a clarion call to all men of our present society to accord their wives the respect they deserve. A man can develop his wife after marriage.
Education plays an important role in the life of a girl-child. Let every girl-child be educated. The government should provide the society with basic amenities such as good schools that are well-equipped.
Parents from time to time should be re-oriented in this regard taking cognisance of the importance of developing the girl-child. None should be misled by saying that the girl-child need not attend formal education.
Since some parents do not have the wherewithal to sponsor their children, governments at all levels should introduce free education to give room for equal opportunity. Bursary payment should be re-introduced in all higher educational institutions.
Education is the bedrock of any society therefore women education cannot end in the kitchen.
Princess Npapa
Princess Npapa is a student of Pan Africa Institute of Management and Technology.
Social/Kiddies
Celebrating Woman As An Icon Of Strength
A woman is a dynamic multifaceted individual who embodies resilience, courage and determination.
She is a game changer and a force to be reckon with, a confidant empowered, supportive, adaptable and inspirational.
Many had asked why women are being celebrated even as recorded in calendar so frequently unlike men and I said, a woman being multifaceted and embodies resilience and determination is worth being celebrated unlike in the 80s when women were meant to understand that their place was in the kitchen of their husbands’ houses.
What an amazing level of development where women can choose a career and work on themselves and know that there is more to life than being in the kitchen and ending up in a man’s house with nothing to show for it.
Women are the strongest versions of the gender of humans in the world even in their silence, women hold a depth of emotions, questions and unspoken thoughts. Their smiles often conceal their true feelings, masking their fears, doubts and desires.
Despite these challenges, women continue to rise above, shattering glass ceilings and pushing boundaries.
Today innovative, women are enterprenuers, leaders, and change agents. Inspiring women like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chimamanda Adichie and many others have paved the way for future generation, their achievements serve as testaments to women’s strength, resilience and capabilities.
The calendar tell us how unique the woman is and her significance in the home and society at large. As a woman, she holds power and I celebrate every woman out there in the world irrespective of how you may have fallen, you shall rise above the challenges, support one another and celebrate collective strength and resilience.
Woman as an icon of strength is not just about individual achievements but creating supportive networks, uplifting others and celebrating collective success, defying expectations and redefining what it means to be a strong woman.
The strength and bravery of women are worthy of celebration by the entire world as none is unique as the epitome of nation builders, character molders and pacesetters not just in their family but to the society at large.
A woman is a selfless mother, lover and care giver to her family, a daughter who supports her parents, as a sister’s unshakeable bond with her siblings and a friends unconditional empathy and understanding.
These acts of kindness and love are not most times talked about but hold families and communities together and bonding strong women are powerful beings who have impacted the society, shaping the foundation of the world from the 80s to date, I personally want to celebrate all the icons of strength who had fought and are still fighting , that our voices as women are heard even unto the ends of time.
I celebrate you all amazing women for standing strong and paving ways for the future generation for equality, justice and human rights. To the rising child, teenager and adults who happen to be a ‘woman’, I celebrate our collective efforts, our strength in helping one another to rise, irrespective of our differences in our backgrounds.
We are super humans, unique beings, no wonder the Bible acknowledges the importance of our strength. Therefore, let’s celebrate every woman out there.
Kate Chisom Isiocha
Isiocha, is a student of Temple Gate Polytechnic.
Social/Kiddies
Children And Basics Of Family
It is the idea of God that family should exit. Children form part of the family. God loves family so much that Jesus was born into the family of Joseph.
Everyone’s family is good and important. Children should not look down on their family whether they are rich or poor.
Children should respect and honour their family and foster love among their siblings. They should work together and make peace in the family. They should always stand in the gap. It is good for family members to carry all along since everyone may not be doing well.
The Christianity that children learn is practised in family. Faith-based organisations do a great job in moulding children’s character. Those are the behaviours that children exhibit towards siblings in family.
Every child born in a family is there for a purpose. A baby born into a family is supplying something. It may be joy, wealth and so on. Everyone is important in a family.
Adolescents who have graduated from school but may not be contributing financially can do one or two things at home. You can engage in preparing meals at home while parents are away for a job or business. Contributing in house chores will go a long way to relieve parents of stress after a day’s job.
What do you contribute to your family, especially during holidays both in nuclear and extended family?
The family you were born is constant but friends are temporary. You can decide not to continue in friendship but you cannot cut off your family. No matter how bad you think your family is and you decide to leave home, you must surely return. Your friends can harbour you for a while.
The child’s first identity comes from the family. What the child learns first comes from the family.
Family is the centre of love and care. People have started playing down on marriage because of neglect on basics of family. Marriage starts today and and the next few months, it is threatened. Respect for family plays a crucial role in marriage.
No child grows without parental control and influence. If a child refuses to grow without taking instructions from parents, he may grow up being wild. There are consequences when children do not obey their parents. There are those who want to be rebellious against their parents. They should know that their length of days are tied to their parents.
Your bioligical parents know you more than every other person. There is the wisdom and knowledge your parents have that you do not so it is proper to listen to them before choosing carriers both in academics and job. A young man or woman can choose who to get married to, but a greater role in the choice of who to marry and the marriage proper comes from the parents.
They know what is best for you. No matter how modern trends will influence you and prove it wrong, parent is the key. No one can love you more than your parents because they are your blood.
A lot of parents have been traumatised due to the fact that children they nurtured and trained turned their back on them at older age. Children should not abandon their parents for any reason.
As you grow up, situations may arise in marriage when you decide it is over with your spouse, but no matter the level of provocation with your parents, they will not despise you. Parents will also play a role in that regard. Problem arises in every family but how it is handled matters a lot.
Some children honour their mentors more than their parents. Although there are parents who shy away from their responsibilities. It is important that parents take full responsibility of their children. You cannot bring a child to the planet earth and refuse to perform roles as a parent. But parents may not quantify what they spent from childhood to adolescence. That is a blessing children cannot get from another person.
There are people who have attributed their failure in life to the fact that their parents, especially mothers are witchcraft. It is wrong to feel that your mother is instrumental to your failure in life. The only way to success is hardwork.
Let money not determine the level of love for your parents. Wherever a child goes, family is constant.
Eunice Choko-Kayode
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