By Elijah Ugani
The founder of CORAfrica Nigeria Rev Fr (Dr) Peter Obele Abue has called on Government, Parents and the general public to be more committed to the ideals of fostering the education and social welfare of children in Nigeria.
Fr. Abue made this call to commemorate the 2026 Children’s Day celebration. He further extended warm wishes to children and reaffirmed his organisation’s dedication to helping those under his care achieve their aspirations and full potential.
He noted that a lot needs to be done to ensure that the underprivileged children in rural Africa who by virtue of where they come from take their proper place to assess education, healthcare services and realise their full potentials.
Fr. Abue used the opportunity to call on government at all levels, parents, corporate organisations, development partners, and philanthropists to support CORAfrica’s vision of expanding access to quality education and improving the welfare of children in rural communities.
According to him, collective support and investment in children will help create a brighter future for society and ensure that no child is left behind.
CORAfrica Nigeria is dedicated to child welfare and education, and is celebrating this 2026 Children’s Day with a renewed commitment to supporting children’s dreams, protecting their rights, and promoting access to quality education.
Through the John Bosco Academy in Adagom, Ogoja, CORAfrica currently provides free education to more than 600 children, helping to bridge the gap between rural and urban education while preparing students to compete globally. The organisation also operates the John Stilley Schools in Victoria, where over 500 children receive quality education.
The idea of setting aside a special day for children gained global recognition in 1954 when the United Nations General Assembly and UNICEF encouraged nations around the world to observe Universal Children’s Day as a way of promoting children’s rights and welfare.
Nigeria officially adopted May 27 as Children’s Day in 1964, creating a platform to highlight challenges affecting children, including discrimination, exploitation, abuse, and limited access to quality education.
In furtherance of child protection, Nigeria ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989 and domesticated it through the Child Rights Act of 2003 by former President Olusogun Obasanjo. The Act extends the fundamental human rights provisions contained in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution to children and outlines the responsibilities of government, families, and relevant authorities in safeguarding children’s welfare.
On this 2026 Children’s Day celebration, CORAfrica Nigeria calls on parents, caregivers, government, and indeed people from all walks of life to become more committed to supporting children, irrespective of their backgrounds, in order to help them realise their full potential. The organisation stressed that there can be no safe and prosperous tomorrow without properly nurturing, protecting, and positioning children today.
Happy Children’s Day to all Children in Nigeria.