Develop your children’s talents, don’t foist them on teachers, UNIUYO urges parents

Ini Billie, Uyo

The University of Uyo has urged parents to take the talent development of their children as their personal responsibility and not foist the duty on teachers.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, said exposing children to learning was an avenue for talent identification and development, and called on parents to be involved in the process.

Speaking on Tuesday in Uyo during the annual Christmas party organised for children by the University of Uyo Women Association (UWA), the VC who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Anthony Udoh, said the party would expose the children to learning and how to peacefully coexist with other people.

He stated that peaceful coexistence was lacking in the country, and the occasion was an opportunity to inculcate training in the children as well as identify their hidden talents that could be harnessed for the good of man.

“We say that they are the leaders of tomorrow. The exposure that they are going to receive today is one of the activities that will prepare them for that. They will learn to avoid stage fright.

“Children’s party is a yearly event which the University Women Association organises and uses to recognise the children.

“Some time ago, we were children like you but we were not opportune to see or partake in events like this. We want you to value this gathering which we see as special.

“It is an occasion like this that we use to teach/learn from childhood the need for peaceful coexistence, something that is seemingly lacking in Nigeria today. Also, it is on an occasion like this that we can identify some of the hidden talents in the children which we can further develop for the good of mankind,” he stated.

Speaking during the occasion, the President of the University of Uyo Women Association, Mr Uduakabasi Ndaeyo commended the women for supporting the annual celebration for the children despite the unpleasant financial situation in the country.

“My warm greetings and appreciation go to my lovely UWA women for their show of love in ensuring that the 2022 children’s party is a reality, even in the face of a fluctuating financial situation.

“The steadfastness throughout the period bits my imagination and cannot be taken for granted. In spite of the dwindling finances due to irregular salary payment, the women sustained their commitment by willingly and cheerfully tasking themselves, to enhance the success of this year’s children’s party,” she stated.

The occasion which was laced with a lot of varieties including a talent skill hunt resulted in the emergence of a new Uniuyo queen, Miss Abasibianke Okon and King, Master Eric Chinonso.