Stakeholders at the 2026 Children’s Day celebration organised by the Delta State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, have called for stronger advocacy on inclusive education, responsible parenting, digital literacy and equal opportunities for children across the country.
The event, held in Effurun with the theme, “Building Hope and Confidence in Every Child Through Care, Education and Love,” attracted pupils and students from primary and secondary schools, special needs institutions and orphanage homes across Delta State.
Speaking at the occasion, Chairperson of NAWOJ in the state, Comrade Sonia Unobunjo, said the celebration was beyond entertainment, stressing that the future of society depended largely on how children were nurtured today.
According to her, the programme was designed to promote inclusion, love and social responsibility while drawing attention to society’s collective responsibility toward raising children in an atmosphere of equality, care and opportunity.
“What we are doing today boils down to love, loving the children, loving the parents and loving ourselves without discrimination. The children of today will become the leaders and responsible adults of tomorrow,” she said.
Unobunjo commended parents and teachers for their sacrifices and commitment toward child development, describing educators as critical partners in shaping the future through mentorship and guidance. She urged parents to continue supporting children emotionally, morally and academically while ensuring no child suffered neglect or discrimination.
Delivering the keynote address, Director of Elim-Bridge Autism and Neurodevelopmental Foundation, EANF, Dr. Chijioke Nwoko, advocated inclusive education and stronger support systems for children living with developmental and learning challenges.
Nwoko lamented what he described as the continued exclusion of children with special needs in mainstream schools, insisting that inclusion should go beyond classroom admission to active participation, support and acceptance.
“One of the major challenges we have in society is exclusion. Many children are present in classrooms but are not truly included. Every child means every child, including children living with disabilities and developmental challenges,” he stated.
He further urged schools to adopt flexible learning systems capable of accommodating the unique learning abilities of every child rather than imposing uniform expectations on learners.
Also speaking, Chairman of the occasion and Chairman of the Delta Online Publishers Forum, DOPF, Mr. Enebeli Emmanuel, called for the integration of digital literacy, innovation and Artificial Intelligence, AI, into children’s education to prepare them for emerging global realities.
Enebeli said children in Delta State and Nigeria must be equipped with technological skills and innovation-driven education to compete favourably in the global digital economy. He, however, warned against uncontrolled social media exposure among children, citing cyberbullying, misinformation and moral decline as major concerns.
“As stakeholders in the future of society, we must ensure technology is balanced with care, discipline, moral values and human interaction. The children we nurture today will determine the future of Delta State and Nigeria tomorrow,” he added.
In her remarks, Proprietor of City Child Academy, Ekpan, Dr. Mrs. Rose Obi, advised children to remain focused on their studies and strive for excellence, while urging parents to closely monitor their children to curb negative behavioural tendencies.
The event featured educational engagements, interactive sessions and recreational activities involving children from regular schools, orphanage homes and special needs institutions, reinforcing the message of inclusion, equality, care and hope for every child.
