CHILDREN’S DAY: LAGOS FLAGS OFF CELEBRATION WITH CAREER TALK, YOUTH FORUM TO EMPOWER STUDENTS
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By: Oduola F.A.
Lagos State, on Tuesday, May 20th, officially commenced its week-long 2025 Children’s Day celebration with a thought-provoking Youth Forum and Career Talk held at the Education Resource Centre (ERC) in Ojodu-Berger.
The event, which aligns with this year’s theme, “Children: Our Future and Our Responsibility,” brought together students from across all Lagos State Education Districts—Districts I through VI—for a stimulating session of learning, motivation, and goal-setting.
The forum featured seasoned facilitators, educators, and directors from the Lagos State Ministry of Education who engaged the students on critical conversations around career choices, innovation, and personal responsibility. In attendance were school principals, guidance counsellors, teachers, and directors, including Dr. (Mrs.) Abolarin Abimbola, Director of Special and Inclusive Education and Guidance and Counselling, Lagos State Ministry of Education.
In an interview, she emphasized the importance of students discovering and harnessing their innate abilities, interests, and potential. “What we are doing is talking to the students about their careers—what they can do, their natural abilities, their interests. They need to make good use of the opportunities they have now,” she said, adding that opportunities like this were rare in the past, and students must take full advantage to build strong futures.
The first speaker, Aderonke Asiwaju, delivered a powerful session on the need for students to take charge of their lives. She stressed that despite the state’s provision of free education and other learning opportunities, many students remain distracted by peer pressure, societal influences, and side engagements like trade or artisan work during study hours. “As long as this continues, we will keep experiencing mass failure,” she warned.
She urged students to set clear goals, remain focused, and develop the discipline to stay on track. “Your goal is your plan. Stay focused, be assertive, and shun distractions,” she advised. She also called on parents, teachers, and the government to work together in guiding the children and sustaining motivation at home and in school.
The second facilitator, Adebusuyi Olutayo Olumadewa, built his session around innovation and turning ideas into reality. He stressed the importance of having dreams and understanding what they mean for one’s future. “Dreams are not random; they are pointers,” he said, encouraging students to pursue them with clarity and courage.
According to him, students must be exposed to opportunities and environments that allow them to express their creativity and explore their passions. “Motivation comes from seeing what you don’t know yet—what is important to you. Let them explore, but guide that exploration with purpose,” he added.
The programme also featured captivating presentations from both primary and secondary school students. A group from the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) presented a short drama on the theme of “keeping your private parts private,” sensitizing their peers on body safety and personal boundaries.
Another set of students from various Education Districts delivered an engaging presentation emphasizing the importance of having clear goals, confronting fears of failure, and staying committed to their dreams.
Students from schools such as Olowo Primary School (SUBEB), Community Junior Grammar School (Education District III), Eletu Odibo Junior High School (District IV), and Ikorodu Senior Grammar School & Ikorodu Junior High (District VI) were part of the enriching event.
These schools joined others from across the districts to benefit from the motivational sessions and actively participate in the interactive segments of the program.
Hotjist also spoke with some of the students in attendance, many of whom were full of positives about the day’s programme. They shared that they had learnt so much—from ethical guidelines to key principles every student should follow to achieve their goals.
Many expressed that the sessions had clarified their thinking, especially those with diverse career aspirations ranging from medicine and law to entrepreneurship and technology. The students extended their gratitude to the Lagos State Government, the Ministry of Education, as well as the facilitators for organizing such an impactful event.
Tuesday’s event served not only as the kickoff to the Children’s Day celebration but also as a meaningful platform for self-discovery and growth. It reflected the Lagos State Government’s ongoing commitment to nurturing young minds, equipping them with the knowledge, confidence, and support they need to thrive.
As the week unfolds with cultural displays, religious observances, and the grand finale parade, the message remains clear: children are not only the leaders of tomorrow—they are valuable assets today, deserving of every opportunity to grow, dream, and succeed.
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