Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding the rights, welfare, and future of children in the state.
The governor gave the words of reaffirmation on Tuesday at the popular Adamasingba Sports Complex on the occasion of the 2025 Children’s Day Celebration.
Addressing children, parents, educators, and stakeholders at the event, governor Makinde, represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, emphasized children’s central role as the pride and future of Nigeria.
Speaking on this year’s theme: “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation,” the governor equally assured of building a society where children are protected against any form of bully while pursuing their academic life in a safe, free, and healthy environment.
“On this special day, let me reaffirm our commitment to nurturing and protecting you as Nigeria’s future leaders, innovators, and changemakers,” the Commissioner stated.
The theme for this year’s celebration was commended and described by the governor as timely and necessary for creating a safe and respectful environment for all children, both offline and online.
“Violence, bullying, and neglect have no place in the Nigeria of today,” the governor declared.
Citing troubling statistics that show up to 65% of Nigerian children experience some form of bullying, Makinde said: “A child who learns in fear cannot learn well. A child who grows in fear cannot grow right.”
Governor Makinde also highlighted the state’s alignment with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and emphasized Oyo’s participation in national frameworks to end violence against children.
According to the governor, key initiatives include: Implementation of the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children (2024–2030), ongoing review and strengthening of the Child Rights Act and other related laws to improve protection and enforcement mechanisms, and leveraging the cybercrime Act to curb cyberbullying and protect children in digital spaces.
The governor applauded the domestication of the Child Rights Act across all 36 states and stressed that legal frameworks must be supported by strong community involvement.
“We require a holistic approach where parents, teachers, caregivers, faith leaders, lawmakers, and citizens must take ownership,” the governor emphasized.
Further efforts being made and cited NY the governor cited include: scaling up the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS) for real-time tracking and response, Strengthening community-based protection systems, enhancing training for frontline workers, and launching awareness campaigns, Introducing a National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools along with comprehensive guidelines for school administrators, and Enhancing access to child and maternal healthcare through upgraded facilities and dedicated Mother and Child Hospitals.
Governor Makinde also spotlighted programs like the Nutrition 774 project and the School Feeding Scheme, all geared towards improving nutrition, health, and learning outcomes.
“A well-nourished child is well-equipped and ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow,” he said.
To institutionalize progress, the governor announced the establishment of a Department of Nutrition and the rollout of a Child Wellbeing Index to track state-level performance and accountability.
In a passionate call to action, the governor launched the “See Something, Say Something, Do Something” campaign, and urged all citizens to be vigilant and proactive in protecting children.
“To our beloved children: you matter. Your dreams matter. Your voices matter. No one has the right to hurt, silence, or diminish you,” the governor concluded.
The governor however, called on all stakeholders to deepen their efforts, embed child rights into every policy, and ensure that no child is left behind.
I’m his words: “Let today mark a renewed movement to build a Nigeria where no child suffers in silence, no child is left behind, and every child grows in dignity, peace, and love.”
Highlights of the event was a march past by various secondary schools and award presentation to the winners of the display.