The proprietor of Royal Jewels International School, Ijapo, Akure, Ondo State, Mrs. Kehinde Longe, has called on parents and guardians to shun ethnicity in order to protect the rights of the African Child.
Mrs. Longe made this call during this year’s commemoration of the “Day of the African Child” (DAC), held in the school on Thursday, 16th June, 2016, to promote the African culture and fight against the extinction of our cultural values.
She advised parents to always take care of their wards, in line with this year’s theme, “Conflict and Crises in Africa: Protecting all Children’s Right”, because today’s leaders were children yesterday, and the children we celebrate today are the nation’s leaders of tomorrow.
Mrs. Longe also expressed the school’s readiness to showcase different cultural groups from the six geopolitical zones of the country every year and that this year, they were showcasing three cultural groups: Tiv, Egba and Efik.
Speaking at the occasion, the Zonal Coordinator, South-West Zonal Office of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Akure, Ondo State, Mr. James Imohiosen, represented by the Head of Orientation and Cultural Affairs, Mrs. Ogechukwu Nwokorie, commended the Management of Royal Jewels International School, Ijapo-Akure, for organizing this year’s edition of DAC and also used the opportunity to encourage parents and guardians to take our culture seriously, as it is our collective responsibility to inculcate the right cultural values in our children.
Mrs. Nwokorie, who doubled as the chief judge on the occasion, also used the opportunity to unveil some of the Institute’s upcoming programmes for 2016, which include Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP), NICO Cultural Clubs (Omoluabi), and NICO Annual Children’s Cultural Fiesta, assuring that NICO Management will work towards establishing a Cultural Club in the school.
The Day of the African Child (DAC), celebrated in honour of some high school students, who lost their lives on the streets of Soweto, South Africa on the 16th of June, 1976, was initiated by the African Unity (AU) in 1991 and is commemorated on 16th June every year to discuss the challenges facing the African child, to elevate child protection agenda in conflict situations in Africa, and to guarantee the protection and preservation of life and the well-being of the African child.
Highlights of the event included, song and dance competition by the three cultural groups, parents’ dance contest, food presentation, and cultural parades.
The NICO team at the occasion comprised Mrs. Ogechukwu Nwokorie (Head, Orientation and Cultural Affairs); Mrs. Flora Sodje and Mr. Kayode Alana (Orientation and Cultural Affairs); as well as Mr. Stephen Ayomoba and Mrs. Folashade Bello (Corporate Affairs Unit).
Folashade Bello
Corporate Affairs
NICO SWZ