As Nigeria joined the world to celebrate Children’s Day, the Estelle Education Foundation has called on parents, educators and the wider society to be intentional in raising children, stressing that the future of the country depends on how well today’s children are nurtured.
Speaking in Ilorin during the 2025 Children’s Day celebration organised for schoolchildren across five institutions, the Executive Director of Estelle Education Foundation, Miss Ayomitide Ebo, urged stakeholders to take deliberate steps towards safeguarding the dreams, welfare and education of every Nigerian child.
“Children are not just the future; they are the present. The way we treat them today will shape the kind of adults they become tomorrow,” Ebo said. “We are here to celebrate them, to honour their dreams and to remind ourselves of the work required to keep their hopes alive.”
She said the theme for this year’s celebration, Securing the Future, speaks directly to the Foundation’s mission of supporting vulnerable children and ensuring that no child is left behind due to circumstances beyond their control.
“We’ve been moving from one community to another, paying school fees, supporting children with special needs, and ensuring that background doesn’t limit anyone’s potential,” she stated. “Every pencil donated, every school fee paid, every word of encouragement—it all matters. These are seeds we are planting for a generation that will grow strong, bold, and brilliant.”
Ebo advised the students not to let societal pressure steal their joy or derail their goals. “Dream big, learn with curiosity, play freely, speak kindly and never forget that people are rooting for you,” she said.
Also speaking at the event, Revd Emmanuel Adejo, Principal of Union Baptist College, the host school, commended the foundation for organising the programme, describing it as a valuable platform for self-discovery and personal development. Represented by the Laboratory Prefect, Precious Adebisi, he encouraged students to make the most of such opportunities to grow and develop themselves.
Mrs Mercy Makanjuola, CEO of Mercy Treat, also urged the students to begin securing their future by making wise decisions early in life. “The choices you make today will go a long way in shaping what tomorrow looks like for you,” she said.
Fashion entrepreneur and founder of Roselcon Fashion Home, Mrs Faith Adaramola, advised the students to define who they are and what they want to become. “Live a life of purpose. Don’t allow anyone pressure you into becoming what you’re not. Avoid laziness and don’t procrastinate.”
Mr Isaac Oladimeji also shared practical counsel, urging the children to believe in themselves and shun bad influences. “To be great, you must be hardworking, stay away from laziness, avoid bad company, and most importantly, protect yourself from abuse of any kind,” he advised.
The event featured quiz competitions, games, and the presentation of gifts to students, with five schools in attendance. The celebration provided not only a moment of fun but also an opportunity to inspire the young participants towards self-belief, discipline, and greatness.
Leave a Reply