Children Day 2021: Ekiti Group Canvasses for Increased Commitment to Children’s Education and Development.

Ekiti Advocacy and Good Governance Initiative, a sociopolitical non-aligned group, has made a clarion call for increased commitment, on the part of both government and private sector, to the education and development of children in Ekiti State and across the entire nation.

The group, more commonly known as Ekiti Advocates, made the call during a visit to the Erelu Adebayo Childrens’ Home in Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State to felicitate with the children during this year’s edition of the Childrens’ Day celebration. In a statement released by the leader of the group, Prince Adedayo Oluwasanmi, the group described society’s duty to the children as a sacred trust that must not be betrayed.

“Children are the heritage of the Lord and the highest duty of any society is the fulfillment of this sacred trust. We owe our children a sacred obligation to establish an atmosphere that enables them to thrive. Creating such an environment ensures the best result,” he stated. “Our awareness of this divine duty is why we are here to show our commitment to fulfilling it by generously supporting our children with donations to Erelu Angela Adebayo children’s home in Iyin Ekiti today. It is high time both government and the private sector embraced this very sacred duty”.

The secretary general of the group, Hon Opeyemi Allen-Alebiosu, in a chat with our correspondent also advised government at state and Federal levels to implement more short term policies that will have immediate impact on the well being of the Ekiti People especially in the wake of the biting socioeconomic impact of the novel Coronavirus pandemic even as they do not neglect their long-term visions for sustainable development. He also encouraged the private sector and civil society groups to support government’s efforts by rolling out programmes designed to affect their immediate communities positively and provide cushion from the impact of the present economic situation in the country. “It is now apparent that this duty is for one and all, and leaving it all for government would be a fatal mistake on the part of the private sector and civil societies, he said. “Challenging times are here and there is surely something we all can do and should do to brighten our little corner and put smiles on the faces of our neighbours”.

Hon. Alebiosu however clarified that Ekiti Advocates are a group of non-aligned but socially and politically conscious professionals who have decided to embrace the sacred duty of social engineering. Consequently, the group looks forward to conducting political enlightenment campaigns throughout Ekiti State and other states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with the aim of encouraging popular participation in the democratic and electoral processes, through the Voters Education and Registration campaigns among others.

“We will also be rolling out specialized seminars, skill acquisitions programs, relevant health checkups to address the poverty problem in our state,” he said.

The group also looks forward to working with education, health and political stakeholders in Ekiti State to raise the development bar across key sectors in the near future.