President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the rights and welfare of Nigerian children, as the country marked Children’s Day 2025.
He also called for a bully-free generation and enhanced child protection measures at all levels.
Represented by the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mahmoud Mariya, on Tuesday in Abuja, Tinubu highlighted the invaluable role of children in shaping Nigeria’s future.
“My dear children, the pride and nature of our future of our great nation, I join you to celebrate the 2025 National Children’s Day with immense pride and profound joy.
“On this special day, let me reaffirm our commitment to nurturing and protecting you as Nigeria’s future leaders, innovators and change makers.”
Tinubu emphasized the significance of this year’s theme “Stand up, Speak up: Building a Bully-Free Generation”, he underscored the government’s determination to end all forms of violence against children.
“Violence, bullying and neglect have no place in Nigeria today. A child who learns in fear cannot learn well. A child who grows in fear cannot grow right.’’
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, emphasised Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to protecting children’s rights.
“Children’s Day reminds us globally to uphold every child’s right to survive, thrive, and fulfil their potential.
“Nigeria’s commitment is rooted in international frameworks like the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and domestically through the Child Rights Act, which protects children from violence.”
She highlighted the urgency of addressing bullying, the theme of this year’s celebration.
“Bullying remains a serious threat to our children’s dignity, safety, and mental health. Nationally, over half of adolescents report being bullied, and many cases happen in classrooms.”
The Minister called for swift implementation of policies to ensure safe environments, while acknowledging other risks such as child labour, trafficking and early marriage that threaten Nigerian children’s wellbeing.
Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, underscored the importance of creating safe and supportive environments for children, particularly within the Federal Capital Territory,
“Our focus in the FCT is on community engagement, building a strong network of support for our children, and ensuring their safety and well-being.
“It takes a village to raise a child and we must all stand as that village to protect and empower every child in the FCT and across Nigeria.”
The event also featured an address by Hon. Rahama Waziri, Speaker of the FCT Children’s Parliament, who called for an end to bullying and for the empowerment of children’s voices.
She urged adults including parents, teachers and leaders to listen, support and protect children.
“Bullying isn’t just a word we hear in school, it is something many of us have felt, seen or even gone through.
“Enough is enough, we want to grow up in a world where we don’t have to pretend, a world where no one is afraid to be different, where kindness is louder than cruelty and where we all feel safe to just be ourselves.
“Let us make a promise today. We will not stay silent, we will not look away, we will stand up and together, we will build a bullying-free environment.”(NAN)
