By: Manoah Kikekon
African Movement of Working Children and Youths, MAEJT Nigeria, in collaboration with Heart and Hands Humanitarian Foundation 3HF, commemorates the Day of African Child and has said all African child should go to school.
The commemoration was carried out with an awareness walk on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at Makoko, Lagos State, Nigeria.
The walk was to remind Nigerians and Africans the right of a child to be educated, as this is important to building the future of a child.
Halilu Awesu, the National Coordinator for African Woking Children and Youth, MAEJT Nigeria, told News Peddlers that the Day of African Child is always marked all over the world on June 16, but was celebrated June 18 this year due to the Muslim Festive.
The theme for the Day of African Child for year 2024 is education for all African Child. The time is now.
Halilu said, "It is important for us to know that here in Nigeria, we have enormous numbers of children out of school that we must pay attention to as philanthropists, individuals, and governments. We must make sure we return them to school.
"If we look at Makoko, you will discover that it's a slum. These children are meant to be in school during school hours they should not be working. They have equal rights as children who are in urban areas, so it is important for them to go to school. The child should also know that their responsibility is to be obedient to their parents.
Ambrose Odubolu the representatives of Heart and Hands Humanitarian Foundation 3HF said, "African child most especially those from Nigeria, are lacking proper education. This is not only for the children but also for their parents and guidance, education is the cornerstone of our lives now.
"We can not ensure the future without the child's future. There's no future for a child without basic education. At least, even if it's the government school, the child is not only going to school to learn but also to know their fundamental rights." he said.
Oluwatunmise Olusola , the National Delegate for African Movement of Woking Children and Youth, Nigeria said, "We are here to talk about the right to education. Every child in Africa has the right to go to school. We are emphasising that right and telling the parents to help these children go to school.
"The children should always have the mindset of going to higher places, even if they don't have the capability to go to school, They should believe in their dreams, and when they have challenges, they should speak up to those who can help them," she added.