By Nelson Utip
The First Lady of Rivers State Valerie Fubara, has called on relevant agencies to look into rampant cases of child labour and trafficking as they are hampering healthy growth and well-being of children, she was speaking at a party organised for children in the state at the Government House, Port Harcourt, to mark this year’s children’s day with the theme: ‘For Every Child, Every Right.’ She voiced out the urgent need to tackle the menace, which she said is affecting so many children, especially the less privileged.
Mrs Fubara pointed out that more efforts should be applied in tackling issues relating to the children’s growth and well-being, especially in the area of child labour and trafficking.
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She called on relevant government agencies to put more effort towards achieving total crackdown on practices that promote child labour and trafficking.
“I call on relevant government agencies to step up the campaign against such evil practices and ensure the safety of our children as they remain the hope of our country and the potential leaders of tomorrow.
“I urge parents not to be unduly pressured, either by the temporary economic challenges or by societal influences, to engage in such inhuman practice of child labour or trafficking. It is not only an evil against humanity, but also a sin against God.” She said.
The governor’s wife saw hosting the children as a privilege ,as they are the future hope of the society as she shared in their joy as they celebrate Children’s Day.
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Mrs. Fubara emphasized that the most enduring legacy is investment in children to harness their full potentials for self-development and positive impact on the society, positing that investing in children does not stop at provision of basic needs of ensuring assess to education and healthcare which are essential components, but also involves creating an enabling environment that fosters their holistic development, intellectually, socially, emotionally and ethically.
“Investment in our children is about instituting in them the values of compassion, empathy and responsibility for diversity, laying the foundation of a society built on inclusivity and understanding, instilling in them the skills of knowledge and understanding to navigate an ever changing world.”
She said while emphasizing that in evaluating the priority of the day, it was pertinent to focus on what the Rivers State Government has started doing for them under the watch of her husband, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, particularly in prioritising their education, making a case for deliberate, planned and sustained effort at seeing to the growth of children, she recalled the gesture of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who, with the ‘Renewed Hope Initiative’, allowed her office to coordinate the donation of 50,000 exercise books to public schools in Rivers State.
