By Bakare Lukman
Parents have been advised to prioritize the upbringing and training of their children.
The Executive Chairman of Okemesi/Ido-Ile Local Council Development Area of Ekiti State, Hon. Ajibade Sunday Owolabi gave this advice while addressing the children at the 2024 edition of Children’s Day Celebration held at Fabunmi Memorial Grammar School, Okemesi-Ekiti on Monday, 27th May, 2024.
Hon. Owolabi passionately appealed to parents to offer moral, social, psychological, and financial support to their children, guiding them away from negative peer and societal influences.
He urged children to steer clear of misconduct such as cultism, examination malpractice, drug abuse, and association with bad peers, emphasizing the importance of obedience to teachers’ instructions and adherence to moral principles for a positive future trajectory.
The council boss lauded the unwavering dedication of the Ekiti state government, led by Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, towards the welfare of children in the state.
Hon. Owolabi emphasized the government’s steadfast commitment to upholding the fundamental rights of children, with a particular focus on youth development and job creation as key components of the governor’s agenda.
He said, “It is an undeniable fact that the Ekiti state government under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji is seriously committed and passionate about the well-being of our children in Ekiti and have respect for their fundamental human rights.
“This is why Youth Development and Job Creation is one of the pillars of his Developmental Agenda.
“In regard to this, the governor has been fulfilling his electioneering promises by paying for WAEC Registration of SSS 3 students in the state, Regular payment of Teachers’ salaries and allowances as and when due, Training and retraining of teachers, Housing and vehicle loans to teachers, etc. With all these, students are encouraged and teachers’ productivity enhanced.”
The Council boss also said that his administration has supported the governor in purchasing JAMB forms for students seeking admission into higher institutions.
He said, “At the local level, we are encouraging our school children by purchasing JAMB forms yearly for students seeking admission into higher institutions, purchase of Laptop computers to ICT center for students preparing for exams, empowerment to youths in agriculture in the form of inputs, herbicides, sprayers, etc to enhance their productivities.”
Hon. Owolabi added that plan is also ongoing to engage school children in some sports activities to develop their talents for them to possibly make a living out of it.