Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called for the protection of the rights of children, noting that priority must also be given to basic needs of the younger generation to guarantee better future for the society.
Adeleke spoke on Saturday at the Osogbo City Stadium venue of the events organised in commemoration of this year’s children’s day, where pupils across the state gathered to mark the day.
The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, also called for concentration on the various issues contending with the holistic care of children.
He also charged children to imbibe virtues of discipline, hard-work, honesty, patriotism which are essential for sustainable democratic institutions and national development.
He said, “Issues like drug abuse, child labour, sexual exploitation, child abduction, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, high prevalence of school dropout, especially girl child school dropout that are intricate challenges confronting and militating against child protection and development in our society must be well addressed.
“We must ensure that the basic human rights of our children well protected and entrenched in their development, their education, health, shelter, clothing and feeding are well prioritised to ensure the achievement of a non-chaotic and egalitarian society of the future we all clamor to have,” Adeleke stated.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]