As Nigeria celebrated Children’s Day, two advocacy groups—We Embrace Foundation (WEF) and Better Class Environment (BCE)—joined forces with the National Library in Plateau State to shine a spotlight on bullying and the broader challenges facing children.
At the 2025 celebration in Jos on Tuesday, the organisations echoed the year’s theme: “Stand up, speak up: Building a bullying-free generation.” They stressed that while policies exist, there is a critical need for sustained awareness and community-driven action to create safe spaces for children.
Speaking at the event, BCE CEO Sandra Adik urged the public to rekindle a sense of collective responsibility. “We must raise our voices and renew our community bonds to protect children from bullying and other harmful behaviours,” she said.
Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, the groups aim to foster a society where children are heard, protected, and empowered to thrive without fear.
“I want to say we have lost that sense of community where people advise people and look out for other people,I would advise the public to look out for other people’s children not just theirs.
“People should at least pay attention to what is happening, because If a child gets into trouble today, that child might meet your own child that you trained well, and before you know it, your child is influenced.
“So we need to look out for each other, and it also enhance advocacy and sensitization against bullying, child trafficking and other vices” she said.
Similarly, Mr Lasisi Adeiza, Program Coordinator for WEF and sponsor of the event, noted that awareness creation is necessary to ensure that every child is equipped against vices that affects them.
For her part, Mrs Sarah Emmanuel Head,Plateau National Library who was co-host of the event stressed that Children’s Day celebrations should not only be about merry-making but also addressing issues that affects the well being of children in the society.
She added that every child requires quality attention and affection from both their guardians and the society also which would help checkmate some of such excesses.
Miss Rhoda Agbo of Alheri Private School and Miss Nankyel Rinkat, participants at the event expressed joy and satisfaction for being part of the days activities, while calling on other children to desist from bullying.
Some of the activities that marked the day included dance competitions, recitations, choreography among others
