Okerenkoko Federated Community celebrates Children's Day in grandstyle

It was a day of fun-fair as Okerenkoko Federated Community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State celebrated this year's Children's day.

The remarkable event that took place on Monday, 27th of May, at the Community's playground witnessed the presence of sons and daughters of the community from far and near.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the Community, Hon. Shedrack Otuaro said children's day is declared by the United Nations for the children to be celebrated all over the world, saying that Nigeria decided to choose 27th May to celebrate them. He said, he was so impressed that the children in the community are doing well as the schools: nursery, primary and secondary have a large number of children. He therefore charged the children to take the advantage of the presence of all levels of education in the community to be educated just as he charged parents to send their children to school since the schools are in their door-steps, unlike in those days that, many of them couldn't go to school as a result of distance.

His words: "In Okerenkoko, we are blessed. In those days, we trekked 30- 50 metres from here to school. At that time, many children in Okerenkoko had no access to university education because they were living in rural areas". He promised that the programme where children are celebrated every year would continue even after he has left office. 

He said: "After my tenure, the person who will succeed me will continue to encourage the children in this way."

According to him, with education, the community would continue to grow as it is right now that already its   name is in the world's map as it has continued to grow in leaps and bound. He thanked the headmaster, principal and teachers for efforts they made so far, which have made the school grow to this extent.

On their part, PTA's  Chairman, Dcn Igare Patrick, the Principal of Okerenkoko Secondary School, Emurashe Sunday, the Headmaster, Ovhorokpa B. Ese, the Chief Inspector of Education, Warri South West Local Government Area, who was  represented by  Opiepie Samson, the school corpers who were represented by Omozokpia Victoria, Local Education Authority, Hon. Golly Emmanuel and others expressed gratitude to Hon. Otuaro's- led Exco for their roles in ensuring that the schools compete favourably with schools in the urban areas in the area of growth and development.

They said, among other things, the Chairman has facilitated the employment of two teachers in the school, the maintenance of the schools' infrastructure, help the Corpers in the areas of transportation and feeding, among others. They however, asked for more especially in the secondary school as it still lacks science laboratory, library and others. They  said when these are provided, it would enhance  effective teaching and learning in the school.

In his lecture titled: "Leadership Development", Deacon Ernest Bebenimibo, the President Ernest Bebenimibo Foundation said, the qualities of leadership among other things are: goals' setting for oneself, having passion for the goals and one has to be disciplined to achieve one's goals in life. He therefore admonished the children to develop these traits to have headway in life.

On her part, Hon. Mrs Ebi Adams Tonjo who spoke on: "Girl-child's  Education", said, there was need to educate the girlchild about premarital sex and other social vices which may  make her a school-dropout. According to her, parents should help the girlchild to take the right decision of going to school at the early age and take her studies seriously to enable her   become good person in future since she is among the leaders of tomorrow.

Not left out is Pastor (Mrs) Bridget Affia Foh who spoke on: "Career". She said that choosing a career starts from primary and secondary schools. According to her, it is this career he or she builds on in higher education. She also said that any student who fails  to choose a career from the beginning is bound to fail in life. 

She therefore encouraged the pupils and students to choose their careers while  they are still young to enable them make it in life just as she charged parents to monitor and guide their children while they are young to choose a career for a better future.

In an interview with PEBNEWS, many students  promised to take their studies seriously just as they expressed gratitude to Hon. Shedrack Otuaro's  led Exco and the entire community for organizing the programme for them. 

The programme which featured children's poems  recitation, cultural dances, and debates climaxed with the distribution of educational materials such as books, wall clocks, biro and pencils, mathematical sets to the students amidst jubilations.