By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The newly established and commissioned Solution FunCity, Awka, was a beehive of activities as the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo and his wife, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, celebrated this year’s Children’s Day with Anambra’s Children.
Governor Soludo who described the event as vibrant, said it was dedicated to Anambra’s Young Generation.
Speaking after inspecting the children’s guard of honour and delivering President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide Children’s Day address which was simultaneously held across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Governor Soludo reassured the children of their safety and importance.
‘Every day we wake up, we are thinking about you and acting in your best interest to protect you and to give you a future so that you can guarantee a future for Anambra State, for Nigeria, and for humanity,’ he said.
Highlighting the significance of the occasion, Soludo extended warm wishes to children across the state.
‘Today, on Children’s Day, we want to celebrate all our children wherever you may be. The few here are representatives of the various local governments. I am using you as a point of contact to send our goodwill message to all our children across the entire state, and as the President has said, you matter! For me, children remain the bridge to the future, and that is why we ensure that every child in government-owned schools in Anambra receives Free Primary and Secondary Education because we know that you matter.’
Emphasizing the importance of recreation, Soludo introduced Solution FunCity as a space for both learning and enjoyment.
‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! Solution Fun City won’t be the only place where you will come to exercise your mind but also to have fun. We have finally built for you in Anambra, and many more of this type will show up in the next few years. Several more fun cities will arise in Anambra because Anambra must change from being a departure lounge to a destination of choice. The preferred place to enjoy, must be Anambra, and that is why we have come to show you just a sample, the first sample, and bigger ones are yet to come.’
Concluding his address, the Governor declared, ‘Welcome to today’s Children’s Day, and welcome to the FunCity, let’s have fun! The march past may now begin.’
The Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, also spoke, praising what she described as the transformative leadership of Governor Soludo and his wife.
‘Under the visionary leadership of Governor Soludo and his wife, Anambra State has become a beacon of hope and progress. Their commitment to creating a safe and nurturing environment for our children is evident. A transformative initiative that has redefined the educational landscape of our state by the introduction of Free and Compulsory Education, coupled with the strategic recruitment of teachers, has not only enhanced academic excellence, but has fostered mutual respect amongst our children,’ she said.
The Speaker of the Anambra State Children’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Ekwunife, addressed a critical issue raised during a joint preliminary session with the 8th Anambra House of Assembly. She emphasized the urgent need for a Juvenile Correctional Centre to rehabilitate and reintegrate children in conflict with the law.
‘This initiative is crucial to prevent minors from being housed alongside adult offenders, a practice that poses significant risks to their well-being and future,’ she stated.
