Kenyatta, Ezekwesili, Briggs others honoured at 2017 African Child Prize
The award was conferred on them on Friday evening at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, at a dinner to commemorate the 2017 International Day of the African Child, organised by an international NGO, the African Child Foundation.
Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Clay Neff, President Chevron Africa and Latin America Exploration and Production, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Cobhams Asuquo, Francis Agoda Aka I Go Dye, Tee Mac, Mrs Annkio Briggs, Chief Joop Berkhout, Safari Books Limited were among other individuals and organizations honoured during the event.
The theme was :“The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for Children in Africa: Accelerating Protection, Empowerment and Equal Opportunity”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that annually, June 16 is observed as the Day of the African Child.
It was first established by the Organisation of the African Unity in 1991 and aims at raising awareness for the situation of children in African, as well as on the need for continuing improvement in education.
It also encouraged people’s spirit of abundance to share something special with a child in Africa.
Speaking with NAN, the Country Director Mr. Donaldson Onosakponome said that Nigeria which was the host of the 2017 Dinner was chosen for her massive participation in the return of the Chibok Girls and advocate that more passion toward alleviating poverty and empowering children and women amongst social vices should be sustained.
Mr Onosakponome Donaldson, representative of the NGO in Nigeria said: “There is need to create an atmosphere for the protection of the African Child.
“There is also need to ensure zero tolerance for child abuse; we say no to child labour. He stressed added that it's a criminal Offense under the law to hire a child or minor as house helps and sales persons, he said their Research in Nigeria shows that most families who indulge in the crime called child LABOUR often times have their own Children attending schools, while someone's else child do the chores, little do they know that the innocent child hire without education will impact on their own children some negative values the house helps must have abducted in the streets, as a chain reaction describing every child in the community as our children and deserve same good measures as our children at home.
“Today, we honour some individuals and corporate organizations that have added value to the African Child.
“We need more people like these role models who care about the future of our children by training, empowering and equipping them; without a responsible society, sleep becomes elusive for all and a responsible society is an offshoot of good neighbourliness and parenting,” he said.
The event which was well attended had the Minister for Devolution & Planning Hon. Anne Waiguru Representing President Uhuru Kenyatta, the Family of Late Etienne Tshisekedi, the Democratic Republic of Congo's veteran opposition leader.
Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho Represented by the Minister of Education (Hon. Dr. Mahali Phamotse, and Prof. MEZMUR, Benyam Dawit African Union Committee of Experts on the Rights and welfare of the Child. Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
NAN reports that some individuals and organizations that were also presented different awards during the occasion includes Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, Adonijah Owiriwa, Mr. Tom A. O. Imokhai, Hon. (Chief) Raphael Egaga Okaruefe, Jubilee Life Mortgage Bank, Mr Julius Rone, Mrs. Joan Agha, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo, Executive Director, Projects NDDC, Engr. Samuel Ajenakevwe Adjogbe, Chief Sir Edward Nkwegu, OFR.
The event also witnessed the induction of Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Chief Joop Berkhout, OON, Dr Mrs Ipalibo Banigo, ENGR. (DR.)EMMANUEL AUDU-OHWAVBORUA, Mrs Annkio Briggs, Prof. Oladapo Ashiru as members of the Advisory Board, while Cobhams Asuquo, Musician, Francis Agoda Aka I Go Dye Comedian and Tee Mac Musician were made Ambassadors of the African Child Foundation respectively.
