Children’s Day is celebrated annually across Nigeria on May 27 to enhance awareness of the rights, care and education of Children. It is always a blissful day for children around the world. When was the first official Children’s Day celebrated? And by what organization? How did Nigerian Children mark this joyful day? BETTY AMUKPO asks. Some children respond thus:
‘My experience is to meet lovely children at Parade grounds’
Children’s Day is a day dedicated to celebrate childhood. The first official Children’s Day was celebrated worldwide in October 1955 under the sponsorship of International Union for Child Welfare in Geneva. May 27th is traditionally the children’s holiday in Nigeria. On November 20, 1959, the United Nations adopted the declaration of the rights of the child. As a child, I will love to go out with my parents. My experience is to love other children and meet all lovely children at Parade grounds on that day and my expectations is to explore
‘I celebrated my Children’s Day going for march-past; I visited amusement park’
The first official Children’s Day celebration was on the 20th of November 1959. It was by the United Nations. I celebrated my Children’s Day by going to march past. After that I went to amusement park with my family. I experienced very much fun on that day. I saw many children who were very happy because it was their day. On this Children’s Day, I expect that day to be fun and exciting, satisfying and enough refreshments for us children so that we can enjoy our day.
My previous Children’s Day was wonderful. There were a lot of beautiful presentations like choreography, talk show, poetry, drama, march-past parade and beauty pageant. We were also served food and assorted drinks with cake. I enjoyed myself that day.
‘I celebrated my day by visiting the museum with my school mates’
World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on 20th November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improve children’s welfare. The United Nations is the first organization that officially established and celebrated world Children’s Day. I celebrated my day by visiting the museum with my school mates, where we had march-past and cultural displays. I had a wonderful experience filled with lots of fun and enjoyment. My expectation for Children’s Day celebration is that government should prioritize education, health and general welfare of children around the world.
‘My previous Children’s Day was wonderful’
The idea of a Universal Children’s Day was mooted by Rubab Mansoor grade 8 and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1954. This day is an opportunity for the children to express themselves and be happy that they are at this age and time. My previous Children’s Day was wonderful. There were a lot of beautiful presentations like choreography, talk show, poetry, drama, march-past parade and beauty pageant. We were also served food and assorted drinks with cake. I enjoyed myself that day.
‘My mum bought me a pizza pack to celebrate the day’
Children’s Day was officially celebrated on 20th November 1959 by “The Rights of the Child” under the United Nations. Though, different countries have different days for celebrating Children’s Day. My mum bought me a pizza pack to celebrate the day which I ate after I returned home. It was a moody day because my school didn’t organise any event to mark the day which was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I expect next year’s celebration to be brighter than this year.
