In the family you have the father, the mother and the Child(ren). Fathers' day is a day for celebrating Fatherhood, Mother's day, for motherhood and this special day for Childhood.
Children's Day was first proclaimed by the World Conference for the well-being of Children in 1925 and then established universally in 1954 to protect Children working long hours in dangerous circumstances and allow all children access to an education.
Children's Day is recognised on various days in many places around the world. In Nigeria, it is celebrated on May 27 (Universal Children's Day is celebrated on April 30 as recommended by the United Nations). This day in Nigeria is always a Public Holiday for Primary and Secondary school children. During which Primary and Secondary school children compete in Military parades, football matches, athletics, etc for a prize. There are also picnics, parties and other recreational activities to mark this day. Apart from Schools, other religious and non-religious organisations also partake in the activities. Such organizations include; The Red Cross, The Man O'War, The Boys' Brigade, The Boys' Scout, The Adventist Youths, Royal Rangers, Block Rosary Brigade and so many others.
It is always a special day in Nigeria for the children. Unfortunately, due to various forms of insecurity (such as kidnapping and bombing) experienced in the country at certain States and regions, most 27th Mays were not celebrated in public places as they were supposed to be. Most Children in the Northern part of Nigeria don't enjoy this day again. At some point, due to the outbreak of kidnapping in Aba, the Children of Aba were also deprived of this day, a day that will always stand out for the kids, a day that will always make their childhood story whole. If insecurity continues to deny children of this celebration, which story will they tell their children as their parents told them of Empire day?
Glory be to God that 27th May 2013 was a reality to the Children in Aba. Aba is made up of Aba North and Aba South. The Children in Aba North Celebrated theirs at Abia State Polytechnics School field while those in Aba North celebrated theirs at Enyimba International Sports Stadium.
Every school that came participated in the March Past. The crowd at Aba North were thrilled by Parade Drums from some of the schools that were there while those in Aba South enjoyed Parade Drums from Schools, Boys Brigade (Aba Battalion Council), Royal Rangers, Block Rosary Brigade Band of Nigeria and so many Parade bands too numerious to mention.
It was a special day for these Children as you would see them in various groups dancing to the music and some enjoying their snacks, ice cream and other goodies.
It was a day to remember for these kids, so many of them are looking forward to a better Children's Day next year.
More Pictures below.
- @InsideAba
