Dcns. Rita Daniel Strong speaking
In commemoration of this year’s International Children’s Day, children have been urged to Speak up and defend their rights.
Assistant Director, Dept. of Planning Research and Statistics, Rivers State Ministry of Education, Dr. Alice Altride made the statement at an event organized by Christ Embassy, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for School Children. The theme of the program was ‘Empowering Young Minds’.
Cross section of students
According for Dr. Altride, Rivers State govt. have enacted laws promoting Children’s Rights, the awareness and sensitisation is ongoing ‘but it’s sad that some parents are still in denial’ she lamented.
“Rights of children include Rights to life, education, good health survival and development among others. Rivers State govt also practice inclusive education for the physically challenged, hence, there should be no discrimination” said Dr. Altride.
On his part, the Zonal Director Christ Embassy, Port Harcourt Zone 1, Pastor Amaechi Udeaku charges children on the need to empower their minds with productive and positive things as these are keys to success.
Udeaku who spoke on the theme ‘Empowering Young Minds’ with the bible text Josh.1:8 said children must meditate upon God’s word, thereby guarding their hearts with all diligence and this will make their ways prosperous.
His words “What you see and what you hear are determinants of what goes on in your mind, hence be careful of what you watch and what you listen to ” Pastor Udeaku warned.
Speaking further, “you must empower your minds to be successful by thinking on right things, obey your parents, yield yourself to instructions, obey God’s words, then the sky is just the beginning” said Pastor Udeaku who was represented by Group Pastor, Christ Embassy, City Centre Group, PH Zone 1, Pastor Strong Daniel.
Students of Beryl Brooks Premier School Port Harcourt Rivers State
To the teachers, Pastor Strong tasked them to teach the children with Godly reference.
The goal of Inner City Mission and the Children arm of Christ Embassy Church, Pastor Strong pointed out is to reach out to indigents children, bring them out of the slum and empower them. All of these is our own ways of extending the love of Christ to the people” said Pastor Strong Daniel.
Over 50 Schools in Rivers State were in attendance and participated in competitions such as Quiz, Debate, Spelling Bee and Gender Clarity.
The theme Empowering Young Minds’ according to the Program Director and Educationist, Dcns. Rita Daniel Strong is apt because as tomorrow’ leaders we need to empower our children to have a positive mindset.
Her words “It all starts from the mind, if our younger ones can harness their thoughts and work on their minds, they will fulfil their goals in life”.
The program she pointed out is organized for children to use their minds in a right way and positively.
The keynote speaker, Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), Rivers State Chapter, Arc. Toku Fiberesimain his speech titled ‘The Role of an Architect’ enlightened the students about who an Architect is and why it is important for them to take up Architecture as a career.
He said “Architecture is an integral part of our lives, without an architect, there’ll be nowhere to live. With an Architecture, we are able to build our cities, schools, markets, airports, among others” said Fiberesima.
At the end of the keenly contested competitions by different schools in Spelling Bee, Quiz, Debate and Gender Clarity, schools such as : Dayton Model College, Noble Learning Int. School, Beryl Brooks Premier School, Readon Int. School, St. Maria Goretti Int. School, Divine Anteo School, Increase Int. School all went home with Cash gifts and Stationery materials.
