The president, Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association, Hajiya Hafsat Abubakar, has advised parents across the country on adequate protection of their children during the yuletide period.
Speaking at the weekend during the 2018 end of the year children’s party organised for children by 055 Nigerian Air Force Camp at Air Force Primary School, Victoria Island, Lagos, Hajiya Abubakar, who was the chief host of the event and was represented by Mrs Sheila Lar, implored parents and guardians on the need to keep special watch on their wards to avoid making them prey for evil perpetrators.
“My advice for the children is to be obedient in their conduct always. Likewise, parents and guardian should be in good protection of these children, especially during this period because they are the future of this country. As you can see, they are all enjoying themselves after the whole activities in school throughout the year. They need to have fun and enjoy themselves. This is an avenue for them to come out and play after all the school stress in the last 12 months. I feel it is a wonderful occasion that needed to be observed yearly for them,” she said.
The chief host, however, expressed her gratitude to the Commander of 055 Air Force Camp, Air Commodore Rasaq Kayode Olanrewaju, officers, airmen/women and entire civilian staff for organising the event.
Meanwhile, the Commander of NAF 055 camp, Air Commodore Olanrewaju, while congratulating the children on the occasion, appreciated the chief host, Hajiya Abubakar, saying the event was borne out of the need to rejoice with the children over their achievement in the last 12 months.
“The idea behind this children’s party is to bring about interaction and integration amongst our children who for obvious reasons might not be attending the same schools but nevertheless are part of the larger Air Force family. It is also to celebrate the hard work and achievement of our children this year and encourage them to aim higher next year,” he said.
He also tasked parents and guardian on the safety of their wards.
“Actually, a lot of things happen during a season like this. So I advise the parents and guardian to keep eyes on the kids and also continue to advise them not to interact with strangers and not to be carried away with gift items, especially from strangers. And if you are not the one taking them out to see Santa Claus, you must entrust them with some you know very well,” he said.
The Chief Route Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos Island command, S.W Duke, who also spoke at the event, called for elementary education on road safety for the children at the tender age.
“We all know that FRSC has the vision to eradicate road crashes on our high way and we know that road safety concerns everyone including the children. The FRSC is committed to catching them young, so we say let them begin to imbibe the good road use culture such as; when they are going to school how to cross the road and others. We believe they should be taught the elementary road safety rules so that they can grow with the culture,” he said.
A senior executive officer, Globacom Telecommunication, Mr Babajide Ibigbami, in his remarks, gave kudos to the organisers of the NAF children’s party, assuring that Globacom will keep supporting NAF in various programmes when needed.
The highlight of the event included gift presentation to the best-performing students of the year, cultural dance presentation by NAF children and drama presentation by Airmen’s Wives Association.
