Kenyatta, Ezekwesili, Briggs others honoured at 2017 African Child Prize
The award ceremony took place on Friday evening at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, coinciding with a dinner organized by the African Child Foundation to commemorate the 2017 International Day of the African Child. This event was supported by an international non-governmental organization (NGO).
Honorees included representatives from various entities, such as the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Mr. Clay Neff, President of Chevron Africa and Latin America Exploration and Production, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, and prominent figures including Cobhams Asuquo, Francis Agoda (also known as I Go Dye), Tee Mac, Mrs. Annkio Briggs, Chief Joop Berkhout, and Safari Books Limited, among others.
The theme for the observance was “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for Children in Africa: Accelerating Protection, Empowerment, and Equal Opportunity.”
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), June 16 is recognized annually as the Day of the African Child. This day was first established by the Organisation of African Unity in 1991, to raise awareness regarding the circumstances faced by children across Africa, while advocating for ongoing improvements in education. Additionally, the observance encourages a spirit of generosity among individuals to share special contributions with children in Africa.
In an interview with NAN, Mr. Donaldson Onosakponome, Country Director of the NGO in Nigeria, noted that Nigeria was selected as the host for the 2017 event due to its significant role in facilitating the return of the Chibok Girls. He expressed the need to sustain a commitment towards alleviating poverty and empowering vulnerable populations, particularly children and women, to combat social injustices.
Mr. Onosakponome emphasized the necessity of fostering an environment that safeguards the rights of the African child. He asserted the importance of enforcing zero tolerance for child abuse and highlighted that employing minors as household help or sales personnel constitutes a criminal offense under the law. He pointed out that many families who engage in the practice of child labor often do so while their children are attending school, failing to recognize that this decision could negatively affect their children by exposing hired children to harmful influences.
“Today, we honor individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to the welfare of the African child,” stated Mr. Onosakponome. “We require more advocates and role models who are dedicated to nurturing the future of our children through education, empowerment, and resources. The sleep of a responsible society becomes elusive without such efforts, as a responsible society emerges from both good neighborliness and effective parenting.”
The event was well attended, featuring participation from Hon. Anne Waiguru, Minister for Devolution & Planning, who represented President Uhuru Kenyatta, as well as members of the family of the late Etienne Tshisekedi, a veteran opposition leader from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Representatives of the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho included Hon. Dr. Mahali Phamotse, Minister of Education, and Prof. Benyam Dawit Mezmur, from the African Union Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
NAN further reported that several individuals and organizations were also recognized during the occasion, including Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, Adonijah Owiriwa, Mr. Tom A. O. Imokhai, Hon. (Chief) Raphael Egaga Okaruefe, Jubilee Life Mortgage Bank, Mr. Julius Rone, Mrs. Joan Agha, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, and Engineer Samuel Ajenakevwe Adjogbe, among others.
The ceremony also featured the induction of Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Chief Joop Berkhout, OON, Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Banigo, Engr. (Dr.) Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, and Mrs. Annkio Briggs as members of the Advisory Board. In addition, Cobhams Asuquo, Francis Agoda (I Go Dye), and Tee Mac were appointed as Ambassadors of the African Child Foundation.