THE Ekiti State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusive education, child protection and the overall wellbeing of children as stakeholders gathered at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado-Ekiti, for the 2026 National Children’s Day celebration.
The programme was organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady and Ado Local Government.
Speaking at the event, the First Lady of Ekiti State, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, said the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji remained committed to protecting, empowering and creating opportunities for every child to realise their full potential.
She said this year’s theme, “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child,” underscored the need to ensure that no child was denied access to quality education, healthcare and protection because of gender, disability or economic background.
The First Lady explained that the state government had continued to invest heavily in education, youth development, healthcare and social intervention programmes aimed at improving the wellbeing of children.
She added that through her Widows, Aged and Orphans Hope Support Foundation, vulnerable children and orphans across the state had continued to receive educational support and welfare assistance.
According to her, the government would also sustain efforts against child abuse, trafficking, exploitation and all forms of violence against children.
Dr Oyebanji commended students who distinguished themselves academically, including outstanding candidates in WAEC, NECO and Primary School Leaving Certificate examinations, noting that the recognition was meant to encourage excellence among children in the state.
She also applauded the emergence of Miss Oluwadamilola Ooreofe Adeolu as winner of the Africa Spelling Bee competition and the outstanding performance of Miss Daniella Owoeye in the recent JAMB examination, describing the achievements as evidence of the enormous potential of Ekiti children.
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, said the state government, through the Office of the First Lady and the Ministry of Women Affairs, had initiated several programmes to cushion the effects of the economic situation on children and families.
She said measures had also been put in place to protect children against rape, trafficking, and other forms of abuse.
The Deputy Governor disclosed that many indigent children who were at risk of dropping out of school had been assisted with payment of school fees and provision of learning materials through humanitarian interventions coordinated by the First Lady.
She appealed to parents and guardians to provide proper care and moral guidance for their children to enable them become responsible members of society.
In her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Peju Babafemi, who was represented by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Adeluyi Olusola, said the celebration provided another opportunity for stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to building a society where every child could thrive and attain greatness.
She commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritising children’s welfare under the Human Capital Development agenda of his administration.
Mrs Babafemi noted that massive renovation projects were ongoing in schools across the three senatorial districts of the state to create a more conducive learning environment for pupils and students.
She added that special attention was also being given to children living with disabilities, while qualified teachers had been recruited to strengthen the education sector.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr Bimpe Aderiye, disclosed that the state government had spent over N2.1 billion on the payment of WAEC fees for students in public secondary schools.
She urged beneficiaries to justify the huge investment by performing excellently in their studies.
Dr Aderiye stated that all pupils and students in public primary and secondary schools in Ekiti State were currently enjoying government scholarship support, warning that no school had the right to impose illegal fees on students.
She added that the government had also embarked on extensive rehabilitation projects in schools through the State Universal Basic Education Board, alongside other educational support programmes.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Office of Transformation and Service Delivery, Dr Moyo Ekundayo, urged children to associate with people of good character, stressing that the kind of company they kept would determine the direction of their future.
He advised them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to positive values capable of guaranteeing a brighter future.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of children in the state, Speaker of the 7th Ekiti State Children’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anthony Ategbero, called for greater inclusion of children in governance and decision-making processes.
He described inclusion as a necessary strategy for national growth and urged governments at all levels to prioritise inclusive education and child protection policies.
Ategbero acknowledged the efforts of the Ekiti State Government in improving access to quality education, supporting vulnerable children and strengthening child protection initiatives, while also calling for more child-friendly legislation and sustained collaboration between the Children’s Parliament and the State House of Assembly.
Dignitaries present at the event included Princess Adetoun Agboola, Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion; Hon. Tayo Adeola, Commissioner for Trade and Investment; Hon. Bosun Osaloni, Chairman of Ado Local Government; Director-General, Civic Orientation, Mrs Olawunmi Famuyiwa; and Chairman of Ado West LCDA, Prince Adebolu Aladesanmi.
Highlights of the celebration included creative performances by pupils of Government Special School for the Deaf, Ikoro-Ekiti, as well as cultural displays by students of CAC Comprehensive High School, Ado-Ekiti.
Winner of the Continental Spelling Bee competition, Miss Adeolu Oluwadamilola Ooreofe of St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado-Ekiti, received a cash prize of N500,000 from the First Lady.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji also approved the sum of 31,600 dollars for the winner, her mother, coach and teachers to travel to China for a global competition.
At the symposium organised as part of the celebration, Adebisi Elizabeth of Corpus Christi College, Ilawe-Ekiti, emerged overall best participant, while John Jasper of Daglore Model College, Ikole-Ekiti, came second and Ale Oluwademilade of Amoye Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti, came third.
Awards were also presented to outstanding students, with Okewumi Oluwadarasibe Reigneth emerging as the best student in the 2025 WAEC examination, while Obimakinde Daniel Tanitoluwa won the award for the best student in NECO.
In the primary school march-past competition, St. John’s Anglican Nursery and Primary School came third, Ebenezer Baptist Primary School placed second, while Police Children School emerged overall winner.
In the secondary school category, EKSU International School came third, Banji Akintoye Model College came second, while Command Secondary School, Isan-Ekiti, won the overall first position.