Children’s Day: COWA National President Urges Parents to Protect Kids From Dangers of Social Media

ZAINAB JUNAID

The National President of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) and wife of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mrs Kikelomo Adewale Adeniyi, on Monday, 27 May 2024, in Abuja hosted over 200 children to a party to mark the 2024 Children’s Day celebration.

Speaking to newsmen at the Corporate Headquarters of COWA in Abuja, Mrs Adeniyi revealed that the occasion was aimed at setting a lifetime agenda that will guide the children in the future, adding, “As mothers, it is our duty to nurture our children and pray for them to succeed in life.”

She said, “You can see, it is a beautiful day; it’s the Children’s Day, and COWA is organising this event to celebrate the day with the children because they are special to us and we are concerned about their future.

The COWA National President, who expressed confidence in the ability of Nigerian children to excel and become good ambassadors of Nigeria in the future, urged them to heed what their parents and teachers teach them and to avoid using social media platforms negatively.

Speaking about this year’s theme: “Protecting the Nigerian Child from the Dangers of Online Technology”, Mrs Adeniyi said, “At COWA, we believe that it is our responsibility to speak to the minds of our children to protect them and educate them to understand the dangers of online stuff.”

The National President also urged parents and guardians to be extra vigilant about their children’s activities at home and to watch how they operate online technological gadgets “because there are so many people on social media; thus, we all must be watchful towards what our children are doing.” She added.

Mrs Adeniyi, who emphasised the significance of raising children with the awareness that they represent their families and the larger community, said, “In my opinion, children who are within the age of 8–16 must not be allowed to use social media platforms.”

She also used the occasion to urge the Children to be obedient to their parents and remain disciplined, adding that “Discipline is the key to achieving greatness in life and that COWA will continue to support them.”