Child advocate and Convener of the Christy Ray Okoye Foundation, Lady Christy Ray Okoye, has made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to implement immediate reforms to address the challenges facing Nigerian children, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
Speaking during the Children’s Day Fiesta and Field Trip to the Lekki Conservation Centre, organised by the foundation for over 100 vulnerable children in Lagos, Okoye expressed deep concern over the growing rate of child hunger, which she attributed to rising insecurity and inflation.
She described the current state of education in Nigeria as far below global standards, leaving many children without access to basic learning resources. She called for education to be made free and accessible to all, stressing that every child deserves the right to quality education and the opportunity to thrive.
Beyond education, Okoye emphasised the urgent need to strengthen the healthcare system to cater to children from birth. She advocated for a healthcare model that prioritises the well-being of Nigerian children through comprehensive and sustained medical care.
She also drew attention to the worsening youth unemployment crisis, which she said is forcing many young Nigerians to seek better opportunities abroad. According to her, creating jobs and supporting vocational training programmes would help retain young talent and reduce brain drain.
Okoye noted that the persistent appeals from advocacy groups reflect the urgency of the situation, urging the Federal Government to adopt and implement policies that protect the fundamental rights of children. She added that investing in the well-being of children is a direct investment in the nation’s future.
The event also featured the distribution of food, drinks, and gifts to children from various communities across Lagos.