NCMM advocates Children’s voices in governance

 By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan

As Nigerians celebrate 2022 Children’s Day, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) has advocated that children’s voices should count in governance.

The NCMM Director-General, Prof. Abba Tijani, made the advocacy on Friday in Ibadan during the celebration.

The event was organised by the National Museum of Unity, Ibadan.

Tijani, represented by the Museum’s Curator, Prince Sikiru Adedoyin, said it was time for the children to be heard.

Tijani said that children must be allowed to make contributions toward  governance.

“As their counterparts in the community, they have the right to voice their wishes and play their roles as the leaders of tomorrow seeking a better future.

“Children are holders of the future, we must pay attention to their well-being as this determines their physical and emotional wellness.

“We should use every available opportunity through the museum to give them a foundation on positive ways of life; this informs the activities here today,” he said.

The NCMM boss called on well-meaning Nigerians to join the NCMM in discouraging negative Western  influence on  Nigeria’s culture.

“We need to entrench in them, as holders of our future, a sense of belonging, a firm foundation which is capable of giving them a great future,” he said.

The Museum’s Head of Education Department, Mrs Abiodun Tinubu, called for more protection of  the rights of children.

She said that parents, governments, mass media and others should play stronger roles as agents of socialisation.

Tinubu said that children were  encouraged to visit the museum to learn and know the culture of their forefathers.

“This is capable of leading them to a better future both as individuals and a generation,” she said.

The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Kolawole Oduola-Adesiyan, urged all stakeholders especially parents to spend quality time with children and help them to discover and develop their talents.

According to him,  the future of any child starts from the home.

He urged that children should be taught   respect and hard work.

“They need to know how to respect authorities, maintain good relationship, manage time and be teachable,” he said.

A child advocate and the Chief Executive Officer, Zek Ade and Sons Ltd., Mr Segun Oni, urged parents and teachers to do more to inculcate discipline in children.

“There is need for us to catch them young; when they grow up well-trained, there will be peace in our families and the society at large,” he said.

Oni advised Nigerians, including children, to love, tolerate and respect one another.

“We should always be patient with one another and put God first in all we do, this must be done for our country to be better,” he said.

The highpoints of the event included a tour of the gallery, march past and cultural displays.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the UN set aside May 27 annually to celebrate children.

The 2022 edition had the theme: “A Better Future For The Child”. 

(NAN)