First Lady of Lagos, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (L), presenting a trophy to a participant at the 2008 Children's Day Carnival/Parade.
First Lady of Lagos, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (R), at the 2008 Children's Day Carnival/Parade.May 31, 2008 - 2008 Children's Day Carnival/Parade
It gives me great pleasure to welcome His Excellency, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN Governor of Lagos State, Her Excellency, Mrs. Sarah Adebisi Sosan, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, distinguished ladies and gentlemen to the 2008 Children’s Day Carnival/Parade being organised by the Lagos Empowerment and Resource Network in collaboration with ISD Consult. The theme for this celebration is “Celebrate Lagos, Celebrate splendour”.
Permit me Your Excellency to use this opportunity to felicitate with all the children of Lagos State on this year’s Children’s Day which was set aside by the United Nations to celebrate children and draw attention to issues affecting their wholesome growth and general well being.
Specifically, this event is organised to provide opportunity for children to have fun, interact among themselves and savour all the excitement that are usually associated with this celebration . More importantly, the funfair of the road show carnival and parade has the objective of drawing the attention of the larger society to the challenges facing our children and also evaluate the progress we have made so far in our different capacities as parents, governments, teachers et cetera in addressing them.
Some of these challenges which we must continuously give serious attention if we desire that our children must grow properly and stand shoulder high among their peers in the fast changing global system include child labour/trafficking, sexual exploitation and abuse, discrimination and all acts that are likely to compromise their rights to education, good health among others as provided for in the Child Right Act and other regional/international conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory. Achieving this desired objective no doubt requires everyone playing his or her roles with high level of commitment because it really takes a village/community to raise a child.
At LEARN, we are committed to joining efforts with other stakeholders in the society towards giving hope to our youths by assisting them grow into responsible citizens and proud members of their generation.
Let me use this opportunity to express deep appreciation to both individuals and corporate organisations that have contributed to the successful hosting of this event.
Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, once again, on behalf of the Management of Lagos Empowerment and Resource Network and ISD Consult,
I welcome you most sincerely and also thank you for the honour of your presence.
Thank you and God bless you.
Her Excellency
Mrs. Abimbola Fashola
First Lady of Lagos State