By Idris Salisu

365Daily – The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Ramatu Aliyu, has warned that if the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children is not immediately addressed, it could last a lifetime.

She said this on Friday, May 28, 2021, at the Grand Finale of the 2021 FCT Children’s Day Celebration at the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture, Abuja.

Noting that COVID-19 had negatively affected lives, homes and children in many ways, she expressed sadness that some children lost their parents to the pandemic while the nation’s economy was drastically impacted.

Aliyu also said child rights have also suffered a setback from the crisis and called on government, civil society activists, religious and community leaders, corporate bodies and media professionals to play an important part in making life relevant for children.

She urged them to use the Children’s Day as an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote and celebrate children’s rights, and translate them into dialogues and actions that would build a better world for children.

Earlier, the Acting Secretary of FCT Social Development Secretariat, , Dr Kelvin Ike, commended the Minister for reviving the FCT Children’s Day celebration despite challenges.

Ike said that the secretariat had a day-out with orphans and vulnerable children from registered Children’s Homes as part of activities to celebrate the day.