(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Childrens-Day.jpg) The exhilarating gymnastic displays during this year's Children's Day celebration in Ekiti State will leave a long lasting memory on pupils and parents that thronged the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado Ekiti for the event, on Monday May 27, 2013.
The fiesta provided opportunities for Ekiti children across the 16 local government areas of the State to mingle and engaged in healthy competition.
It was also an avenue for the State Government to renew its pact with the children on the free and compulsory education policy up to the secondary school level.
The Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi was represented at the occasion by his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi. She harped on the theme of this year's celebration, "Our children, our future, our collective responsibility".
While delivering the Governor's address, the First Lady promised that Government would create a healthy and safe childhood environment for children in the State to harness their potentials.
She expressed that the Day was an opportunity for adults to deeply and truly connect with the child within them, stressing that a nation where children were well nurtured would be virile.
Erelu Bisi Fayemi reiterated that the Dr. Kayode Fayemi's led administration was committed to the promotion and protection of children's rights in every community. "Against this backdrop, the State's child rights Law and other related provisions would be implemented to the letters, with a warning that violators of the right of the child would be brought to justice in accordance with the laws"; she said.
As students continued to benefit from the free education policy of the State, she appealed for everyone to join hands with Government to enhance education standard of the State.
She reminded the gathering of the ongoing survey on orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) spearheaded by the State Government, in collaboration with the Ekiti Development Foundation and other development partners.
According to her, the exercise would engender scientific based evidence and enhance effective planning and programming for the children.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi stressed the need for parents to create conducive learning environment atmosphere for use of their children.
The Commissioner also urged parents and guardians to keep a close tab on their children by ensuring that they did not derail in learning and character.
She commended the State Government for according priority attention to issues affecting children as evident in the provision of free health services for pregnant women and children under five among others.
Prices were presented to schools which distinguished themselves in march past and essay competitions, where Shepherd International School, Ado Ekiti, Moba Grammar School, Otun got the prices.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria