By Yahaya Umar, Abuja, Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki and IKHILI EBALU, BENIN
As Nigeria celebrates Children’s Day, President Bola Tinubu yesterday assured abducted Nigerian children and their families that the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to secure their safe return and bring perpetrators to justice.
Tinubu gave the assurance in a statement he personally signed yesterday to commemorate the 2026 celebration.
His message read this: “On this Children’s Day, I celebrate every Nigerian child. I celebrate the child who is excelling in school. I celebrate the child who is learning a trade.
“I celebrate the child living with disability and still pressing forward with courage. I celebrate the child who has lost much but has not lost hope”.
The President described Nigerian children as “the pride of our Republic” and custodians of the nation’s future, stressing the need to create opportunities that guarantee their safety, education and development.
According to him, the theme of the celebration, “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child”. reflects the urgency of building a society where no child is left behind.
Tinubu noted that while many children marked the celebration with their families, some children and teachers abducted in Oyo and Borno States remained in captivity.
“As we mark this special day, which coincides with Eid-el-Kabir, some Nigerian children and their teachers in Oyo and Borno should be with their families, but are being held captive by criminals.
“Some children have been forced into fear. Some parents cannot join today’s celebration because their hearts are set on one prayer: ‘Bring our children home”.
The President assured affected families that the government would not relent in efforts to rescue abducted children and vulnerable citizens across the country.
“To those children, their parents, and their teachers, I say this as a father and your President: you are not forgotten. You are not abandoned.
“I have directed all relevant security agencies to sustain and intensify coordinated rescue operations for abducted children and other vulnerable citizens across the country”.
He said the operations must remain intelligence-led and carefully coordinated to prioritise the safe recovery of victims.
Tinubu also directed the strengthening of school protection measures in vulnerable areas through improved security coordination, early warning systems and rapid response mechanisms.
“This will include updated school vulnerability mapping, closer coordination between state governments and security commands, rapid response links between schools and local security units, and stronger community-based early warning systems”.
The President added that the Federal Ministry of Education and state governments had been directed to deepen implementation of the Safe Schools framework with clear responsibilities and timelines.
He stressed that rescued children must receive proper rehabilitation, counselling, medical care and reintegration support.
“Rescue is not the end of the government’s duty. A child who returns from trauma must return to care, medical attention, counselling, education and dignity”.
Tinubu called on parents, teachers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups and community members to support efforts aimed at protecting children from violence and abduction.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in education, healthcare, nutrition, digital skills and social protection programmes for children across the country.
For his part, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo described as criminal, the denial of any child access to education, especially with the current free education policy in the state.
Soludo stated this yesterday in Awka during the 2026 Children’s Day celebration themed, “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child”.
The Governor said no child in the state should be out of school for any reason, adding that the state government would fully enforce its zero tolerance policy against out-of-school children.
“We will commence full enforcement. If we grab any child within school hours, we will criminalise it for the parents.
“We will arrest the parents and lock him or her up for a few days and insist the child goes to school.
“For me, it’s criminal to deny any child education, especially now that we have free education. Yet, one prefers roaming the streets begging or hawking during school hours”, he said.
The governor spoke in response to a six-point demand presented by the Speaker of the Children’s Parliament, Victory Ekwunife.
According to him, the punishment for children found roaming the streets during school hours would lie with their parents or guardians.
“As part of our reforms, we make the punishment lie on the parents. If he spends two days with the enforcement agencies, he or she will be compelled to send the children to school,” he said.
Soludo said Anambra currently had the lowest number of out-of-school children in the country, noting that the state government was determined to reduce the figure to zero.
“The last figure by UNESCO, which we think is even outdated, was 2.9 per cent because that was before the free education policy.
“Some states have over 60 per cent, but our goal is to drive it to zero,” he said.
The governor also promised to provide suitable land for a Juvenile Correctional Centre in the state, stressing the need to separate child offenders from adult detainees.
“Putting child offenders in the same cell with adults isn’t right. We need to get a different place for them.
“We will also give more attention to inclusive education, especially for persons with disabilities, as well as a free toll line desk office for abused childrenhe said.
Soludo, who earlier delivered President Bola Tinubu’s message to Nigerian children, said the future of the country depended largely on the choices made for children’s today.
According to him, every Nigerian child deserves a sense of belonging irrespective of background, gender or physical ability.
“Inclusion must be the moral foundation of national development.
“Every single Nigerian child deserves the dignity of belonging, regardless of their background, gender, or physical ability,” he said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs Esther Onyekesi, commended the wife of the governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, for her contributions to child welfare in the state.
According to her, the governor’s wife, through her Healthy Living Initiative, has improved the nutrition, welfare and wellbeing of children across the state.
Onyekesi said the ministry remained committed to tackling child abuse, trafficking, child labour and street hawking through inter-agency collaboration and other interventions.
She urged children in the state to remain focused and avoid negative influences capable of distracting them from achieving their dreams.
“You are intelligent, creative, resilient and full of promise.
“Anambra State is counting on you to become our future leaders, innovators and responsible citizens”, she said.
Besides, Ebony State Governor, Francis Nwifiru described children as the most precious asset one can acquire.
Nwifuru stated this at Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakiliki during the celebration of 2026 children’s Day.
The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Princess Patricia Obila, charged the children to be of good conduct and shun any action that could damage their future.
He cautioned children against engaging in any act that would prevent them from achieving their potential.
Nwifuru disclosed that Tinubu meant well for Nigerian children and urged them to utilise various education programmes of his administration.
He assured children of better days ahead as they celebrated their innocence, strength, creativity, aspirations and unique potential.
The wife of the Governor, Mrs Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, in a goodwill message, congratulated Ebonyi children on the celebration of 2026 Children’s Day.
She described the children as the joy of every home, pride of all communities and the bright promise of the nation’s future.
Speaking on the theme of 2026 Children’s Day: “Future now; promoting inclusion for every Nigerian Child “, the governor’s wife reminded parents that every child deserved to be seen, heard, valued and given equal opportunity to grow and succeed, regardless of background, gender, ability or circumstances.
She said that she was proud of the resilience, curiosity and brilliance of Ebonyi children.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Felicia Nwakpuma, said that the celebration was aimed at raising awareness on Children’s rights.
Nwakpuma charged Ebonyi children to uphold hard work and cultivate reading culture to enable them to make the desired future worthy of emulation.
Also, the Speaker of Ebonyi Children Parliament, Master Victor Obasi, described Children’s Day as a day set aside to celebrate Nigerian children.
The Speaker urged parents to give more time to their children and guide them aright, especially on moral life and virtues that could shape their future.
The Chairman of the occasion, Nelson Okoro, thanked Ebonyi children for finding him worthy of the task and urged them to live good lives.
The occasion featured march past, cultural dance and other acrobatic displays that added glamour to the celebration.
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustained investment in education, healthcare and child welfare in the state.
Fintiri made the pledge in a statement issued yesterday in Yola to mark the 2026 Children’s Day celebration, which had the theme: “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child”.
The statement was signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Humwashi Wonosikou.
The governor described children as the nation’s greatest assets, stressing the need to support and encourage them to attain their full potential.
He said the true character of any society was reflected in the way it treated its children, adding that they deserved protection, quality education and a life free from violence.
Fintiri said his administration had improved the education sector through the provision of better learning environments, upgrading of facilities and motivation of teachers.
“Adamawa State has done a lot to improve education through better learning environments, upgraded facilities and teacher motivation.
“This administration is prioritising the allocation of resources to the areas that affect children directly”, he said.
On healthcare, the governor said that deliberate efforts had been made to ensure adequate immunisation of children and to tackle malaria, measles and other childhood diseases.
He added that the government was also empowering families to enable children access quality healthcare and education.
Fintiri stressed that the future of children should not be taken lightly, describing them as the leaders of tomorrow.
He urged governments, communities and stakeholders to support initiatives aimed at improving the lives of children and helping them realise their potential.
“Educating all our children must be one of our most urgent priorities.
“We all know that education, more than anything else, improves the chances of building a better life,” he said.
The governor also called on governments and communities to protect children from neglect, abuse and degradation, noting that safety required collective commitment and public investment.
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has restated that his administration’s commitment to building a better future for children in the state through sustained investment in education, infrastructure, and social inclusion.
Otti disclosed this on during this year’s Children’s Day celebration in Umuahia.
He said that “children remain the foundation of society and clearest representation of the future”, adding that governance must consistently prioritise their development.
He said: “Today and tomorrow belong to the children and we have gathered to affirm our faith in the promises that the future holds for the young people.
“While it is conventional to celebrate our children on this date, our disposition is to dedicate every work hour to the duties and demands of making our community better for those coming after us.
“We are nothing but stewards, for our legacy will not be measured by how much material possession we acquire; but in what we do to inspire others, especially children to dream and believe.
“Children represent, in a fundamental sense, the beauty and future of mankind.”
According to him, every policy direction and investment decision of the administration over the last three years had been deliberately designed to secure a better future for the next generation.
“The ultimate motivation is that we want you to inherit a better Abia, one that supports your big dreams and aspirations.
“It is also for the above reason that we have consistently committed 20% of our annual budgetary outlay to education.
“We are investing generously in education because of the significant role it will play in shaping the future you shall inherit.
“As you know, the government now embraces 100%of the responsibility for basic public school education in the state.
“To improve the quality of teaching and learning, more than 5,000 new teachers have been recruited and posted to various schools.
“We are currently changing the school’s infrastructure landscape to meet modern learning demands and appetite for innovation.
“In Abia, education is our biggest industry and vehicle to a prosperous future.
“No price, and I repeat, no price is too steep to pay because the children we have here are our greatest assets,” Otti said.
He highlighted ongoing infrastructure development projects across the state, describing them as part of a broader strategy to build a more prosperous environment for children to thrive.
He urged children to remain disciplined, hardworking, and focused, while encouraging teachers and parents to continue to play active roles in shaping responsible citizens.
He also called for greater inclusion of children with disabilities in public celebrations and educational activities, insisting that they must not be marginalised in any aspect of society.
In her speech, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Maureen Aghukwa, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to evolving child protection policies and programmes.
Aghukwa reiterated the administration’s commitment to quality education, healthcare, and the promotion of opportunities that enable children to grow into responsible citizens.
She said that the Otti-led administration had demonstrated consistent concern for the welfare of children and families.
She said that the celebration was not only for entertainment but also a reaffirmation of collective responsibility to raise children in love, discipline, and security.
Aghukwa commended parents, teachers, caregivers, and stakeholders for their contributions and called for sustained commitment to raising children in an environment of love, discipline, security, and hope.
Also, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Goodluck Ubochi, described Abia as fortunate to have a leadership that prioritises children’s development.
Ubochi said that reforms in the education sector were positioning Abia students to compete globally.
“Be committed to your studies, be obedient, do the right thing at the right time and this will be your stepping stone to greatness”, Ubochi said.
Also, the Abia Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Mr Izunna Iweobi, raised concern over the “rising cases of human trafficking and related abuses in the state”.
Iweobi expressed the desire of the agency to partner with the State Government to sustain the fight against human trafficking.
“We are here to stop human trafficking because these children are the future of Abia, and we must join hands to protect them,” he said.
He commended the collaboration between NAPTIP and security agencies in tackling the menace, but called for stronger collective action to protect children and young people.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, says the children remain the pride of the state and future of the nation, saying that the occasion of the Children’s Day is dedicated to celebrating their potentials.
Okpebholo, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Dennis Idahosa, gave the commendation yesterday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium during the celebration of the 2026 Childrens Day in Benin.
According to him, the 2026 event with the them: “Choose Kindness, Reject Bullying”, is both timely and deeply significant, and reminds us that every child deserves to grow in an environment filled with love, respect, safety encouragement and equal opportunity.
“Bully in any form, whether physical, verbal, emotional, or online has no place in our schools, homes or communities.
“As government, we remain committed to protecting the rights and dignity of every child.
“We shall continue to strengthen policies and programmes that promote child protection, discipline, mutual respect and positive learning environments he said.
He stressed that they would continue to invest in education, sports, development, youths empowerment and child welfare, adding that no society can achieve sustainable progress without investing in children.
Also, the Speaker of the Edo State Children Parliament, Jonathan Omorogbe appreciated the governor for all he has been doing for the children in Edo, stating that his hard work and advocacy on important issues meant a lot to them.
“We see your commitment to keeping every child safe and cared for and we are grateful.
“This year, we give a message we cannot ignore, listen to her; her voice, her power.
“This tells us that a girl child is never too young to be wise, she’s never too young to be strong, inside her words are ideas that can build schools, heal communities and design the bridges.
“Today, we asked for something more than gifts and celebrations, we ask for your attention, we ask that you listen to the girl, who solves maths problems faster than anyone in class.
“Listen to the girl who stays after school to fix the broken fan because she wants to understand how electricity works and brings home achievable and sustainable solutions”, he said.
He appealed that the 2026 National Children’s Day should avail the children the opportunity for a renewed promise that every Edo child will grow up safe, heard, educated and feel free to dream big.
