By Stella Anekwe
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State on Tuesday presided over the 2026 Children’s Day celebration at Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, where he took the salute from no fewer than 84 schools across the state capital.
The event featured colourful parades and performances by pupils and students drawn from public and private primary and secondary schools.
Addressing the children, Governor Soludo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing quality education across the state, promising programmes aimed at discovering and developing children’s talents early to prepare them as future ambassadors of Anambra State.
Speaking during the celebration, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs Esther Chinyere Onyekesi, called on Ndi Anambra to support the Soludo administration in creating a safer and more inclusive environment for children.
She said, “Let us build an Anambra State where every child is safe, educated, protected, included, and empowered to succeed.”
Mrs Onyekesi stressed the need for parents and guardians to continue nurturing children with love, discipline, sound moral values, and proper guidance, noting that the future of every society depends largely on how well its children are raised.
“As we celebrate today, let us remember that the true measure of any society lies in how well it protects, nurtures, and invests in its children,” she added.
The commissioner said that the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare had intensified advocacy against child abuse, child trafficking, child labour, street hawking by minors, violence against children, and other forms of exploitation threatening children’s welfare in the state.
According to her, the 2026 Children’s Day theme, “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child,” is timely and relevant, as it calls for equal opportunities for every child to thrive and live a meaningful life.
Also speaking, the Speaker of the Anambra State Children’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Victory Ekwunife, described Children’s Day as more than a celebration, saying it serves as a reminder that children’s voices and future matter.
She commended Governor Soludo for investments in education, healthcare, and child protection, while appealing for more libraries, science laboratories, digital learning tools, and safer schools and communities across the state.
“The Children’s Parliament exists so your government can hear directly from us. Please continue to involve us in decisions that affect our lives, from education policy to environmental programmes,” she said.
A total of 84 schools participated in the event, including 20 public secondary schools, 10 private secondary schools, 40 public primary schools, and 14 private primary schools.
In the secondary school category, Kenneth Dike Memorial School, Awka, emerged overall best, while Igwebuike Grammar School, Awka, came second and Girls Secondary School, Awka, took third position.
For the primary school category, State Model Primary School, Iye-Agu, emerged overall winner, while Central School, Nibo, came second and Eagle Power Primary School, Awka, placed third.
Stella is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
