Minister of State in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ministry, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu has advised school children caught up by the coronavirus lockdown in the territory not to be lazy. She asked the children to turn the coronavirus lockdown period into productive venture to learn new things from their parents and immediate environment. 

In a message to the children today, May 27, to mark the 2020 Children Day,  Dr. Ramatu said: “the Federal Government and the indeed the FCT Administration are doing everything within their powers to see that the COVID19 pandemic comes to an end soon. You also must play your own part as well.

“Observe all the protocols of social distancing, facial covering and constant handwashing or use of hand sanitizers. I also want you to use this opportunity to learn new things from your homes and also from your immediate environment.

“You should read new books and even learn to cook while also paying attention to your online lessons as if you are in the classroom.”

  The minister, who conveyed a message of solidarity to the children from the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, referred to the theme of this year’s celebration which is “Promoting Girl Child Education for Sustainable Development”, and said the education of the girl-child is of paramount importance to the FCT Administration.

According to her,  education of a girl child is often equated with education of a nation, adding that the FCT is promoting programmes to ensure that no girl is left behind in the quest for education.  

“As part of these measures 20 vulnerable girls have been supported with scholarship grants to the FCT College of Education, Zuba. The girls have been on scholarship since their senior secondary education. This is in addition to scholarship awards to over 200 orphaned girls across the Territory.  

“The FCT Administration has also trained gender officers in the management and response to gender based violence in schools as well as promotion of disability rights in schools for girls living with disabilities. 

 “Trainings were also carried out for school heads and teachers across the FCT on making schools friendlier and safer for girls. This in addition to training them on providing psycho –social support and trauma management for girls who are survivors of sexual based violence in FCT schools.”   

Dr. Ramatu called on the children to imbibe the virtues of honesty, discipline, hard work, moral uprightness and obedience to constituted authority.  

She said that children have been identified as national and global leaders of the future, adding that those virtues are essential character traits required for the building of an ideal society.  

She advised them to shun all acts that might negatively impact on their lives such as dishonesty, cultism, truancy and moral decadence.  

This is even as she advised parents to make the education of their daughters a priority, even as she wished all children in FCT a happy Children’s Day celebration.