The Senate, through its Committee on Women Affairs, has urged children across Africa to remain steadfast in pursuing their dreams despite the challenges confronting societies on the continent.
The admonition came as the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) lamented that children account for 75% of victims of modern slavery in Africa.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Senator Ireti Kingibe (FCT), gave the charge during the 2026 International Day of the African Child celebration at the National Assembly Complex.
“Children are natural dreamers. With societal support, hard work and seriousness, they can attain greatness,” Kingibe said.
“Hold on to your dreams of greatness. Do not let anything or anyone stop you,” she told students from various secondary schools across the six area councils of the FCT.
She assured the pupils that in line with this year’s thememm— “Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child” — learning environments would be made more conducive.
“Your learning environments shall be improved with the provision of basic amenities, particularly water, which is life itself. Water, toilets and clean, safe learning environments that you deserve shall be provided at all levels to aid the actualization of your dreams,” she added.
In her goodwill message, NAPTIP’s Director of Training and Manpower Development, Dr. Ebele Ulasi, called for renewed commitment to protecting children and guaranteeing universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene across Africa.
Dr. Ulasi commended the Senate committee for spotlighting child welfare through the 2026 theme, but warned that millions of African children still face poverty, disease, limited education, human trafficking, child labour and child marriage.
Citing NAPTIP data, she said children constituted about 54% of victims rescued by the agency in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for collective action to safeguard their rights and future.
Highlights of the event included an essay competition among FCT schools. Government Secondary School, Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, emerged first, followed by School for the Gifted, Gwagwalada, in second place, and Government Secondary School, Kwali, in third.
