NEWS
World Children’s Day 2024: Kaduna’s ‘one Day’ Governor Advises Parents
The World Children’s Day 2024, was marked with a special event in Kaduna, where the “one day” Governor, Hussaina Adam, emphasised the importance of parents’ role in shaping the future of children.
The “one day” Governor Adam,15, is a pupil at KADBUSA community Centre for Adolescents in Kaduna.
Report says that globally, World Children’s Day events feature children taking over key roles in media, politics, business, and entertainment to amplify their voices and concerns.
The children step into leadership positions to raise awareness about issues affecting them.
The theme of the years’ event is “Listen to the Future”.
Speaking to newsmen at the sideline of the event organised by UNICEF on Wednesday in Kaduna, the “one day” governor urged parents to prioritise their children’s upbringing, education, and well-being.
She emphasised the significance of listening to children and ensuring their rights are protected to light their hopes and dreams for a better future.
The “one day” governor reminded every adult on his/her responsibility towards ensuring that children’s rights were respected and protected.
She, however, lamented the growing number of children roaming the streets of Kaduna.
Adam appealed to the government to enable every child to have access and quality education.
She said parents were supposed to be the first people to help their children when the need arises, while frowning at those who discipline their children with hunger or other harsh punishment.
She urged parents to be their children’s closest friends in order to avoid wrong advice or bad influence from peer group.
“Our parents need to get us closer to themselves so that they will know our problems and find best solutions to the them, “she said.
The ‘governor’ thanked their school for the initiative of enrolling street children so as to prevent drug abuse and other menace that could be committed by adolescents.
Earlier, Dr Wilfred Mamah, the UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, Kaduna Field Office, said for the organisation, their mandate to protect children all over the world was clear.
He said that the event looked into the Child’s Rights Law.
He emphasised that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child has given children the voice.
According to him, this year’s theme explains the right to be heard as a fundamental right of children.
Mamah, therefore, said the children were brought together to be celebrated and sensitised on their right to survival and development.
One of the stakeholders, the Co-founder of Ummu Aytam (MARAYU) Foundation, an orphanage, Hajiya Zubaida Bature, said they were critical in ensuring that orphans get the best out of life.
She thanked UNICEF for including orphans in marking the event, stressing that it would go a long way in boasting their self-esteem and hope for a better future.
Also, Joseph Ike, the Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Bureau for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (KADBUSA), said in prevention, evidence has shown that it works best on adolescents and children.
Ike, represented by Anas Abubakar, the Bureau’s Head of Prevention Services, said they empower children with life and social skills they require to reject and build resilience against falling victims of substance use which may result into abuse and ruin their lives.
He added that the bureau employs the evidence-based prevention programmes to cover all of the stages of development of children from parental period to adolescent.
Ike said, “We have programmes in primary schools, primary health care centres, immunisation and nutrition clinics where pregnant women and women with young children go, secondary schools, sport and community based programmes,”.
The Executive Secretary said the programmes were aimed at empowering adolescents and children with the resilience they need for effective development by shying away from drug abuse and living successful lives.
Report says that the global day of action for children, by children, is celebrated annually on November 20, marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
To address these challenges, UNICEF and partners are working tirelessly to support children in need.
This includes providing emergency aid, promoting education and protection, and advocating policies that prioritise children’s rights.(NAN)
NEWS
NDA Records Successes in Military Training, Academics in 2024
The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), says it has recorded a lot of successes in military training and academic activities in 2024.
The Commandant of NDA, Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, said this at the Nigerian Defence Academy Social Activities (NDASA), held at the headquarters of the academy Afaka on Friday in Kaduna.
Ochai said the essence of NDASA was to end training activities of the year.
He said the 2024 NDASA was unique because the academy marked 60 years of existence from 1964-2024.
Also of significance, Ochai said, NDA had passed out the largest number of officers commissioned into the Armed Forces of Nigeria in 2024.
Equally, he said, in the same year (2024), the academy had the largest number of officers trained outside the country.
He emphasised that the NDA does not only train leaders for the Nigerian Armed Forces, but those for the Nigerian nation and humanity at large.
“After five years of training, we imbibe in officers leadership qualities that are everlasting.
”The traditions, ethos, characters that we instill in our cadets follow them forever and become very useful in all spheres of human endeavors,” Ochai said.
Mr Martins Amaram, Country Security Manager, Nigeria Breweries, PLC , who was the Special Guest of Honour, said the event fostered unity, cultural awareness and comradeship among the cadets and the larger community.
Amaram said, “The academy has always been a beacon of excellence in producing military leaders for integrity, resilience and capacity to face in a dynamic and complex world .
“Beyond academics and military training the academy still values cultural respect and social engagement, recognising the diversity of our great country. Nigeria.”
He commended NDA for creating the platform where cadets can appreciate the rich cultures and build bonds that transit borders.
Amaram added, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria are playing a critical role in ensuring the stability and progress of our nation. “
He urged the academy to continue to record more successes in its mission of excellence and service to the nation.
Report says that awards were given to deserving soldiers who distinguished themselves in 2024.
report says that 22 soldiers were decorated from Warrant Officer(WO) to Master Warrant Officers(MWO). (NAN)
NEWS
Corps Member Donates Delivery Kits to Pregnant Women in Katsina
A Corps member serving in Katsina State, Blessing Ene-Ameh, has distributed free delivery kits to 50 pregnant women in Mani town, Mani Local Government Area of the state
The corps member distributed the delivery kits to the expectant mothers in Mani on Friday as part of her personal Community Development Service (CDS)project.
Eneh-Ameh said that she visited a hospital in the area during one of her group CDS programmes and observed that the hygiene of women in the antenatal and children’s wards was not too good.
The corps member also stated that she had noticed that the turn up of pregnant women for antenatal care was very low.
She said, ”This attracted my attention to the need to educate pregnant women on its importance.
“There is also the need for them to keep themselves and their surroundings very neat to avoid infections for themselves and their babies.
“The aim was also to educate them on the importance of planning for the future of the baby.
”They also need to be staying clean to reduce the risk of contracting infections and other diseases by both the mothers and children, as well as the community in general.
“The training will empower the women to be able to handle and bring up children for the family,” Eneh-Ameh explained.
The NYSC Coordinator in the state, Alhaji Sa’idu Ibrahim, commended the corps member for her ingenuity and magnanimity to carry out the project.
Represented by the Local Government Inspector, Alhaji Abdulrazak Ismail-Tsiga, the coordinator urged the corps members serving in the state and other parts of the country to emulate her. (NAN)
NEWS
FUSHO Ag VC Promises Collaboration with Lydia Memorial Hospital
By David Torough, Abuja
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Prof. Stephen Abah has promised a stronger collaboration with the Memorial Hospital, Ugbokolo for better health services to the people.
Prof. Abah stated this when he received a team of management of the hospital led by the Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director, Dr.
Mark Ogbodo on Thursday in his office on a courtesy visit.The Vice Chancellor expressed his profound gratitude and thanked the management of the hospital for the visit and described the CEO of the Hospital, Dr. Ogbodo as a long time friend who has a quest for excellence.
On his part, Dr Mark Ogbodo, who is a FUHSO Ambassador and the Immediate Past Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Medical Association, Benue State Branch as well as the Immediate Past Secretary of the Association of the Nigerian Authors, Benue State Chapter said that the visit was to congratulate Prof.
Abah on his recent well deserved feat as the FUSHO Acting Vice Chancellor.Dr. Ogbodo who described Prof. Abah as a great achiever and mentor to many and whose achievements are commendable, presented to him, on behalf of the Hospital, an Award of Excellence, in recognition of his exceptional achievements and contributions to academic and medical excellence in Nigeria, examplary leadership prowess and in appreciation of his countless courtesies extended to Lydia Memorial Hospital.
He added that the Hospital’s vision is to ensure a complete state of well-being of patients and promote healthy medical practices in all forms with the mission to provide affordable and easily accessible excellent healthcare services through God’s gifted hands in the purest forms is also poised to deliver the best healthcare services to the people.
Other dignitaries at the occasion were the University’s Bursar, Librarian, Registrar and other members of the university management.