Development experts in the country have been tasked to pay more attention to human rights education and training of people to achieving a productive and better future devoid of chaos and conflicts.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of education, Mrs. Helen Ante stated this in Uruan at the celebration of the Int’l day of the African Child organised by Friends of the Needy Organisation, FONO, at the weekend.
Ante stressed the importance of the human rights education to include providing the citizenry with knowledge and skills, developing their attitudes and behaviours towards enjoying and exercising their rights as well as respecting the rights of others.
The Permanent Secretary who was represented by Barr. Asuquo Selong, director of education in the ministry, commended FONO for hosting the event, describing it as a timely response to the African cry on her citizenry to re-order their lifestyles to accommodate the youths, engage them positively and prepare them adequately for leadership roles in future.
Mrs Ante announced the adoption of the overall winner of the live Essay writing competition at the event, Miss Abasi-odiong Essien of Methodist Secondary School, Ibiaku Issiet; the second winner, Miss Helen Benson of A.M.E.Zion Secondary school, Ndon-Ebom and the third, master Blessing Okon also of Methodist Secondary School, Ibiaku Issiet for the upcoming event at the State level.
The Chairman on the occasion, Akparawa Michael Bush lauded the government of Mr. Udom Emmanuel for working hard to improve the standard of education in the state but called for a face lift of infrastructures to complement the teaching efforts of teachers.
Bush who is also a member of Akwa Ibom State Primary Health-Care board supported the event financially, and commended FONO for her laudable humanitarian programmes over the years and her consistency, pledging to continue to identify with the good work of the organization.
The President and Founder of FONO, Mrs. Eme Atakpo, formally announced FONO’s decision to key into the annual celebration of the International day of the African Child in a bid to join forces with relevant stakeholders and expose youths in state public schools to activities aimed at ensuring their access to such ingredients as effective communication skills of quality education.
Mrs. Atakpo said FONO shared in the sentiments of the Soweto youths’ uprising which resulted in the death of innocent children seeking their rights to quality education, and lamented that the evil still thrives today as millions of African children have no access to education, among other denials.
The event drew participants from four secondary schools in four communities in Uruan namely, Methodist Secondary school, Ibiaku Issiet, A.M.E. Zion Sec. Comm. School, Ndon-Ebom, Idagha Secondary school, Ikot Otoinyie and Secondary school, Adadia.
It featured a keynote address on the theme of celebration: ‘Humanitarian action in Africa, Children’s rights first,’ live essay writing competition, folk songs, traditional dance, spoken word, modelling of African attires as well as the presentation of the history of the Int’l day of the African Child and reciting of the 54 African countries by a guest school, the Aunty Jewel Montessori Academy, Uyo.
