Children's Day Celebration: NAWOJ Calls on Relevant Stakeholders to Investigate Education.

 As the World marks  Children's Day, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists' (NAWOJ) Bayelsa State Chapter has called on government at all levels and stakeholders including the international community  to prioritize  education.

 In a statement  on Saturday by the chairperson and assistant secretary of the association, Grace Orumieyefa and  Eyal Ikisikpo, NAWOJ stated  there be a serious investment be by the relevant Stakeholders for  educational transformation so that  the sustainable development goals educationally can be achieved.

 The statement read "Children constitute a great number of the Nigerian population and  they are the future of the society 

"Hence, any investment through prioritizing education will not only propel the economic development of the country but  will  guarantee an enduring peace, stability, accelerated growth and sustainable development. 

" With the theme more money for primary education, this is a call for the Nigerian government to step up it's efforts on education and provide basic educational requirements such as books, school bags and uniform  for the children.

 "Though primary education is officially free and compulsory  in Nigeria, the number of out-of-school children has increased from 10.5 million to 18.5 million in 2022 according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). 

"UNICEF also observed that approximately six out of ten children experience some form of violence with 50 percent of Nigerian children experiencing physical violence.

"NAWOJ expresses worries in Bayelsa State where there are over 250,000 estimated out-of-school children.

"We  therefore urge  all stakeholders  to make conscious efforts to ensure the happiness of children for a better tomorrow.

"The Association wishes the  children a happy Children’s Day celebration and charged them not to lose courage.

"NAWOJ however frowns at the high prevalence of violence against children in the  Nigerian state.