Aniefiok Christopher
Activities marking the 2024 International Day of the African Child ended in Akwa Ibom State, Uyo capital on Friday with a call on parents to inculcate in their wards African values.
The Director of Schools, King’s Kids Christian International High School, Uyo, Prof Etim Isaac Udoessien handed down the charge during the celebration of the day set aside by the African Union to deepen education standards among African children.
Speaking on the theme: Education for All, Now is the Time, Prof Udoessien, who is also the Chairman of Child and Youth Foundation, a Non-governmental and Non- denominational faith-based organisation, reiterated that Africa is blessed with both human and natural resources.
The retired University Chemistry scholar expressed gratitude to God for making the children’s efforts a rewarding one.
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He assured parents of the schools’ determination to continue to raise God-fearing generals, with a holistic and excellent education, who will function effectively and uphold the pillars of influence in the global community.
Udoessien, therefore, called on parents to apply African heritage in moulding their children to imbibe good morals and values to the society a better place.
To mark the day, the students dressed in their native attires, representing different countries of Africa, debated on the topic: African Children are more cultured than the Western, and took part in drama, parade by Junior School and dance competitions, among other activities.
Appraising the performance of the children, a retired Permanent Secretary in the state, Pastor Nicholas Ekarika expressed satisfaction that the kids have in their performances portrayed their cultural values, believing that most of them will do well to represent their roots, both at home and in the Diaspora.
“Because if you forget your roots, you will certainly be swallowed up by other roots,” he quipped.
Speaking further, he said, ‘‘I thank God that, at their infants, African roots have been exposed to them, especially the culture, the way of life, particularly the inborn values expected of the African child.’’
This, to him, are indications that Africans have the potentials and most importantly, that these morals will never be eroded in the future.
The high-point of the event was the declaration of winners with students representing Togo coming tops of the competitions, while Cameroon and Somalia clinched the second and third places respectively.
The fun-filled events were witnessed by the Principal-General, Dr (Mrs) Cecilia Udoessien; the Principal, Mrs Jane Edem and a Senior Director of Administrator, Mr Nsikak Ekpo, among parents and teachers who filed out in their numbers.
