Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ) join hand with Zone Enterprises to celebrate 2026 Children’s Day with big funfair for Igbesa, Ogun State. The event show say dem dey committed to education, youth empowerment, and community development. Many people come: educational stakeholders, traditional rulers, teachers, parents, and students from host communities. The place full learning, entertainment, and social interaction.
Organisers say the initiative na to promote academic excellence, unity, and personal development among children. Dem want make education be foundation for national growth and sustainable development. Mr. Joseph Ibikunle, Educational Officer for Ogun State Ministry of Education and Head of Academics and School Services for Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Education Authority, talk during the celebration. He call the programme laudable initiative wey fit stimulate academic development among students. He praise OGFTZ for their continuous investment in education and advise students to focus on their studies and avoid distractions wey fit spoil their future.
His Royal Highness, Oba Nosiru Teslim, the Olodan of Odan Abuja, represent the host community monarchs. He praise OGFTZ and Zone Enterprises for their support. According to the traditional ruler, the initiative show genuine concern for the future of younger generations. He urge students to take education serious, stressing say education na the greatest legacy any child fit get.
Ms. Yuan Guo, Admin Manager of China-Africa Investment FZC, represent the top management of OGFTZ. She say the celebration show the organisation’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility. She note say empowering young people through education remain one of the company’s key priorities. She add say children represent the hope and future of society. Ms. Guo explain say the event feature various games, refreshments, and gifts wey dem prepare to make sure the children enjoy. She appreciate sponsors and educational stakeholders for their support and reiterate the company’s dedication to invest for students as future leaders, innovators, and contributors to national development.
The Public Relations Officer of OGFTZ, Mr. Tope Anthony, describe the programme as unique educational and social initiative wey aim to promote academic excellence and personal growth for fun-filled environment. He state say the organisation remain committed to bridging educational gaps within host communities through targeted educational support programmes wey dem design to improve learning standards and give opportunity for every child to succeed no matter their background. As the event finish, students express excitement. Organisers note say beyond entertainment and gifts, the programme serve as platform to inspire hope, encourage dreams, and reinforce the need for continuous investment for future generations.
For Abuja, President Bola Tinubu intensify campaign to eliminate mercury use for artisanal gold mining. He talk during 2026 Children’s Day celebration and awareness campaign on dangers of mercury exposure. The campaign theme na “Future Now, Effects of Mercury: The Invisible Threat to Nigerian Children.” Tinubu, wey the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman, represent, say no Nigerian child should feel invisible, unheard, excluded, or forgotten. He say the Federal Government commit to review the Child Rights Act and the National Child Policy to strengthen legal protections for children. He also say the government declare 2026 as the “Year of Families and Social Development” to strengthen family systems and improve child welfare.
The advocacy programme dey under the planetGOLD Nigeria Project, wey the Global Environment Facility (GEF) support, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) implement, and the Federal Ministry of Environment execute with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development. Project Coordinator of planetGOLD Nigeria and Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health for the Federal Ministry of Environment, Omotunde Adeola, say the project focus on formalising mercury-free gold mining and reducing health risks from mercury exposure. Chike Ajaero from the ASGM Department, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, say the ministry dey drive nationwide formalisation process to organise informal miners into cooperatives and clusters. He note say the ASGM sector release the highest amount of mercury into the environment. Once miners formalise, dem become easier to identify, train, and integrate into the formal economy. Formalisation go improve environmental safety, reduce illegal mining, and increase government revenue through royalties and proper regulation. The Technical Coordinator of planetGOLD Nigeria, Ahmed Bah Ibrahim, describe the initiative as part of global effort to reduce mercury emissions from artisanal mining.
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) also urge Nigerian children to remain committed to patriotism, learning, and moral values. For statement by the agency’s Deputy Director of Communications and Media, Paul Odenyi, the NOA boss describe children as the foundation of Nigeria’s future. He call on stakeholders to prioritise their welfare, education, and protection. According to the Director-General, Children’s Day serve as reminder of shared responsibility of government, parents, teachers, religious bodies, and the wider society for shaping the future of Nigerian children. He say every child deserve access to quality education, safety, healthcare, guidance, and conducive environment to grow into responsible citizens. The NOA DG encourage children to stay away from social vices like crime, cultism, cybercrime, drug abuse, and violence. He advise dem to embrace hard work, creativity, integrity, and national unity for future leadership roles. The agency reaffirm commitment to promote civic responsibility, patriotism, and national consciousness through public enlightenment campaigns for schools and communities nationwide. The statement commend parents, teachers, caregivers, and development partners for their sacrifices for raising children amid economic challenges. The statement add say make all renew commitment to build Nigeria where every child fit dream, thrive, and succeed regardless of background, ethnicity, or religion.
