Happy Children's Day Nigeria!
Every year on 27 May, Nigerians (esepecially the young at heart) celebrate Children’s day!
This is a day set aside to celebrate Children. A day when parents indulge their children with all goodies. A day when the children get to have things done their own way (at least to an extent!) Generally it is a fun filled school free day for children.
A brief on Children’s Day
Sometime in August 1925, people from different Nations of the World, about 54 representatives from different Nations, convened in Geneva, Switzerland for the first ever “World Conference for the Well-being of Children.” It was during this convention that the “Geneva Declaration Protecting Children” was passed.
Some of the crucial issues discussed at the Convention included the following:
· Relief for children in poverty
· Promoting the welfare of children
· Sound education for children
· Child labour
· Spiritual needs of children
After the 1925 Convention, various governments around the world designated a day, different in each country, as Children's Day. In 1954, the United Nations General Assembly recommended that all countries inaugurate a Universal Children's Day. This day is to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children and of activity promoting the welfare of the world's children; a day to encourage and bring joy and smiles to children. The UN General Assembly suggested that the Day should be observed on any date considered appropriate.
In compliance with the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, Countries have set aside a particular day each year as Children’s Day. In most countries Children’s Day is marked as a National holiday, while other countries do not mark it as a National holiday. In Nigeria, May 27 is observed as a National Holiday for children!
Children's Day is a time of festivity for children in any country. The day serves as an opportunity for honouring Children worldwide. Children’s Day serves as an opportunity for Parents to interact with their children and it helps to strengthen the bond between a child and his/her parents. In additional, Children’s Day is a time when children of all receive gifts from their parents, Aunties, Uncles, Grandparents, Teachers, older siblings etc. On this special day, children are given treats, they visit places of interest, and just have a fun filled day! In Japan, the Japanese families fly carp kites (representing each son) on Children's Day. In Turkey, the seats of Parliament are held by children, and a child becomes President for a day. The child President delivers a speech on national television.
Childhood is a phase in life where a child is expected to have all the fun in the World. You are a child if you are born of a human! Invariably, WE are ALL children!
HAPPY CHILDREN’S DAY NIGERIA!
