Children’s Day 2026: Soludo Promises Juvenile Correctional Centre, Warns Parents Against Keeping Children Out of School
By Ifeyinwa Ogwo
The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has pledged to establish a Juvenile Correctional Centre in Anambra State as part of efforts to protect children and promote rehabilitation, warning parents against allowing their children to stay out of school during school hours.
The governor gave the assurance during the 2026 Children’s Day celebration themed, “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion For Every Nigerian Child,” held at Alex Ekwueme Square on May 27.
Soludo stressed that no child should be found roaming the streets or hawking during school hours, especially with the state’s free education policy already in place.
“No child should be out of school, especially now that education is free. It is a crime to deny any child this right. We will begin enforcing the detention of parents at the Lion Building if their children are caught loitering or hawking during school hours,” he warned.
The governor said the state government was determined to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Anambra to zero, noting that the state already records the lowest figure in the country.
According to him, UNESCO statistics previously placed Anambra’s out-of-school children rate at 2.9 per cent before the introduction of free education, adding that the current administration is committed to completely eliminating the figure.
Earlier in her address, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Chinyere Onyekesi, expressed delight at joining the global community to celebrate children and commended the governor for his child-focused policies.
She also praised Nonye Soludo for her efforts through the Nonye Soludo Healthy Living Initiative and the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare in promoting healthy living and improving children’s welfare across the state.
Onyekesi said that the Soludo administration remains committed to protecting vulnerable children, including children living with disabilities, while intensifying campaigns against child abuse, trafficking, child labour, street hawking, violence, and other forms of exploitation.
She advised children to remain focused on their education, respect parents and elders, and avoid negative influences capable of derailing their future aspirations.
Speaking during the event, the Speaker of the Anambra Children’s Parliament, Victory Ekwunife, appreciated the governor for ongoing developmental strides, particularly the free education policy for public primary and junior secondary schools.
She appealed to the government to establish a juvenile correctional centre to ensure children in conflict with the law are separated from adult detainees, noting that exposing minors to adult correctional facilities often worsens their condition instead of rehabilitating them.
Ekwunife further stressed that every child, irrespective of gender, background, tribe, or location, deserves equal access to education, healthcare, protection, and participation in society.
The celebration featured a colourful march-past by schools across the state, a biography presentation on the governor by students of Ado Girls Secondary School, as well as other cultural and entertainment displays.
More photos below.
Comments
Post a Comment