NOA advocates quality education, skills development for children’s welfare

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Bayelsa has advocated quality education and skills development to achieve total welfare for Nigerian children.

Mrs Grace Olobio, State Director of NOA in Bayelsa, said in Yenagoa that it embarked on a campaign with the theme: Enhancing the Total Well Being of a Child Through Quality Education and Skills Development.

She explained that the campaign to commemorate 2025 Children’s Day aims to raise awareness about the importance of quality education and skills development for children.

Also, the campaign advocates for policy changes that prioritise children’s education and development, and engages communities in supporting children’s education and development.

The State Director emphasised the need for intensified awareness about the importance of quality education and skills development.

She said the campaign involved community engagement in supporting children’s education and development, emphasising government provision of infrastructure, quality teachers, and a conducive learning environment.

According to her, the advocacy campaign equally harped on accessible education for every child, regardless of their background, gender, or disability.

“The NOA calls on the government to provide community-based scholarships, build more schools in rural areas, and increase education funding, especially in rural areas.

“The government should implement school feeding programmes; subsidise educational materials through necessary legislations like the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act, which can ensure every child has access to quality education and skills development for self-reliance.

“The Nigerian Child needs to avoid malpractice, cultism, crime and criminality, dishonesty, laziness and procrastination in studying, addictions to social media and games, drug and substance abuse, violence and aggression to succeed and be great leaders of tomorrow,” Olobio said

The NOA State Director enlisted the support of all Nigerians to enhance the well-being of Nigerian children and build a brighter future for Nigeria.