By Ngozi Nwankwo
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has urged Nigerian students to adopt healthy lifestyles, proper hygiene, good nutrition and immunisation to protect their future and develop responsible leadership qualities.
Alausa made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during the maiden edition of the Kid’s Dialogue Series, organised by the Federal Ministry of Education, in partnership with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Centre for Well-being and Integrated Nutritious Solutions (C-WINS).
The event, held at Government Science Secondary School, Pyakasa, Abuja, had the theme: “Empowering Young Voices to Shape Health, Learning and Well-being in Nigeria.”
Speaking during an interactive session with students drawn from various schools across the Federal Capital Territory,FCT, the Minister said good health remained the foundation for learning, productivity and leadership.
”If you don’t have health, you don’t have a life. You are the future of this nation and we have to start right by keeping you healthy. The most important person in keeping you healthy is you.”
The minister described vaccination as one of the most effective ways of preventing dangerous and life-threatening diseases, urging students to always confirm from their parents and teachers that they were up to date with their immunisation schedules.
”You should ask your parents and teachers, am I up to date with my vaccination?” Alausa said.
According to him, advances in healthcare have made vaccines like HPV effective in preventing certain cancers, while those for measles and polio continue to protect millions of children from serious diseases.
He stressed that keeping children healthy was essential to achieving national development goals and building future generations of productive citizens.
He also commended teachers and parents for their roles in nurturing children and helping them realise their potential.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, NPHCDA, Dr Muyi Aina, encouraged students to become “health champions” by promoting healthy behaviours among their peers and communities.
”As you learn, it is important that you also practise healthy behaviours, get your vaccinations, maintain good hygiene and eat nutritious food,” he said.
He said the theme of the dialogue highlighted the importance of engaging young people early in discussions on health and well-being.
”We need to catch them young and set them on the path of health. For you to become healthy, productive adults, you need both education and good health,” he said.
Aina urged students and teachers to freely share ideas, suggestions and questions during the dialogue, adding that such engagements would help shape a healthier future for Nigerian children.
During the interactive session, students raised questions on immunisation, mental health and general well-being.
A student, David Johnson of Junior Secondary School, Tudun Wada, asked if people suffering from trauma and depression could recover.
Another student, Adewumi Temiloluwa, asked what children should do if their parents were unwilling to allow them receive vaccinations.
Responding, Alausa said recovery was possible through talking to trusted persons and seeking professional help, noting that speaking out and seeing a psychologist could help manage depression and trauma.
He also said parents were expected to encourage immunisation, adding that children should explain its importance to them and seek help from teachers if necessary, noting that vaccines protect against life-threatening diseases.