Children’s Day: You are our future, Gov Ikpeazu tells Abia pupils

2017 CHLDREN’S DAY MESSAGE FROM ABIA STATE GOVERNOR, DR. OKEZIE IKPEAZU
My dear Children of Abia,
It gives me great pleasure to felicitate with you all on the occasion of the 2017Children’s Day celebration.
This year’s Children’s day comes 2 days to the 2nd anniversary of our assumption of office which affords me the opportunity to reassure our children and youth that we remain fully committed to fulfilling our promise of a better Abia State for all of our people.
The occasion also gives me the opportunity to reaffirm my belief that it is the right of every Abia child to have access to quality and affordable education, as well as healthcare and other basic necessities for a good life, in a peaceful and secure environment.
Qualitative education for our children remains a top priority on our agenda for thedevelopment of Abia State. Education is one of the 5 Pillars we identified at inception as channels through which we will birth a greater Abia State and we have demonstrated our strong commitment in this regard by embarking on several innovative programmes in the educational sector.
Of specific note is our school-feeding programme which I am proud to note has become a National policy. It is my belief that this programme will ensure that more children go to school and enjoy the fun of learning and growing together with their peers.
Despite the current economic and funding challenges facing our dear nation, my administration will continue to do all within its powers to achieve better living conditions and greater access to quality healthcare and education for all our children.
We are emboldened to continue with our innovative educational and social programmes in Abia State because we have seen its effect in the overall performance of our children. Our Secondary School students have consistently come 1st in WAEC examinations nationwide and our youths from the Abia State University have consistently made us proud by acquiring 1stClass Degrees at the Nigerian Law School and other institutions of post-graduate learning all over the world. With our renewed efforts, it is my belief that we can only get better.
We will also sustain and strengthen ongoing actions to protect children more effectively from child-labour, child-trafficking and other related anti-children offences. As you know, Abia State has passed the Child’s Right Act and a critical component of it is that it is now a criminal offence for an Abia child of school-age not to be enrolled in school by their parents and guardians. Education is the bedrock of an assured future and we will do all within our powers to secure the future of Abia Children.
In return, I urge you all to imbibe and exhibit in greater measure, the virtues of hard work, diligence, discipline, honesty and selflessness which are essential for the actualization of our vision of a truly great Abia.
I am proud to announce to you that as a result of our concerted efforts in various sectors, Abia is now a State to reckon with in the comity of States in Nigeria and you can all be proud to call yourselves Abians. You, our children and youth, have a very significant role to play in ensuring that the foundations we have laid are continuously nurtured, improved upon and strengthened to underpin national development and prosperity.
You are our future and with you all, we have no doubt that the future of our beloved state is even brighter.
I urge you to remain assured that under my leadership, the Abia State Government will continue to do its best to prepare and equip you to show the world that we are indeed, the home of enterprise. We are the first State in Nigeria and I have no doubt that you will continue to ensure that we remain the first in all ramifications.
Let me also assure you all that we will continue to do our best in various sectors through our innovative programmes to create new opportunities for your parents to be able to avail you of basic necessities of all-round growth. Abia is on the rise. To God be the glory.
On behalf of the Government and people of Abia State, I felicitate with you and wish you all a Happy Children’s Day celebration.
Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Ph.D
Governor, Abia State