Wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo has challenged parents to make it a daily routine to celebrate their children, stressing that they deserve to be celebrated.
She said celebrating children should not be a yearly affair, noting that giving them sense of belonging would go a long way in reducing their attractions to vices capable of destroying their lives and destinies.
Soludo spoke on Sunday during a visit to the Model Community Children’s Home, Awka as part of her activities to mark 2024 children day, where she spent time with the children, cooking, feeding and dancing with them.
She recalled with nostalgia the motherly love and care of her mother while growing up, attributing her well cutured character to such motherly disposition.
She said, “I’m here to celebrate the children’s day with the children, cook for them and feed them. They need as motherly love and warmth as they can get.
“I visit them regularly and call on their caregivers to find out how they’re fairing when I’m away. You can see how familiar they are with me, with many desiring to sit on my laps.
“We celebrate children everyday. For me as a mother, I celebrate my children every day. I was here four days ago. But today, we’re reminded and encouraged to leave everything and celebrate the children because they deserve to be celebrated.
“While growing up, my mum played a wonderful role in my life. Because of the way she celebrated me, there were things I wouldn’t do as a student in boarding house because I know she’ll be disappointed to hear of any misbehavior from me.
“That’s why parents must be positive with their children. They can’t deviate, even under peer pressure influence. They need more of assurance and blessings than curse, because whatever you tell them will always come to pass.”
The governor’s wife advised the children to be focused and and to listen to their parents for proper guidance and direction in life.
“For the children, times are very hard, especially with the era of social media influence. I urge them to remain focused and listen to their parents because they’re the people that will guide them and tell them the truth.
“Whatever you see out there in the social media can be deceptive and misleading. But that of the parents will lead you to the right path and the sky will be your limit,” she added.
Earlier, Coordinator of the home, Rev Sister Philomena Akuchukwu appreciated the governor’s wife for the visit, describing her motherly care and attention to the children as top-notch.
“Since you came into office, you have not set eyes off our home. You visit us practically every month with food and drinks. You made our home your second home and know each and everyone of us very well.
“You cook for us by yourself, feed us and again pay our school fees. Every child that comes here goes home a different person. May God bless, protect, reward and keep you safe for us,” she posited.