In commemoration of the 2025 Day of the African Child, Tomorrow’s Women Development Organisation (TWDO), in collaboration with JC Best Schools and Amanna Gold Foundation, hosted an inspiring event in Abuja recently focused on this year’s continental theme: “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress Since 2010.” The commemoration brought together education stakeholders, child advocates, and development actors in a joint commitment to advancing the rights and welfare of African children.
Founder of TWDO and child rights advocate, Hon. Chinyere Ezenwokike, delivered a keynote address in which she described the theme as a timely call for sustained investment in children’s development. She noted that “planning and budgeting for children’s rights must not only be intentional but also guided by evidence and accountability.” Ezenwokike praised institutions like JC Best Schools for their proactive contributions, emphasizing that counterpart funding from government and private entities could multiply such efforts and create real impact. She further acknowledged the collective role of NGOs, civil society, and government, while urging a renewed commitment to safeguarding the dignity and future of every African child.
In her historical reflection, Ezenwokike traced the origin of the Day of the African Child to the tragic 1976 Soweto Uprising, during which hundreds of children were killed while protesting poor-quality education and demanding to learn in their own languages. She emphasized that the annual observance is not only a solemn tribute to the courage of those young martyrs but also a call to action to address persisting inequalities. “The Day of the African Child must challenge all of us—governments, institutions, and advocates—to reflect soberly and act decisively in upholding the rights of African children,” she stated.
Adding to the discourse, Mrs. Nnodim Josephine, CEO and Founder of Amanna Gold Foundation, reiterated her organization’s commitment to child empowerment and protection. She emphasized that children’s education and rights remain at the heart of the Foundation’s mandate. “We must continually challenge systems that endanger children’s wellbeing and push for legislation that promotes their holistic development,” she remarked.
On her part, Mrs. Uloma Edna Onorah, Rector of JC Best Schools, called on educationists and curriculum developers to become champions of children’s rights within the classroom and beyond. She stressed the need for pedagogical approaches that empower students and equip them to thrive in a just society. “We cannot afford to be passive in the face of violations. The rights of the child must be non-negotiable,” Onorah declared.