May 27: Prof.Faduyile congratulates Nigerian children, charges govt on child right act.
By Steve Ovirih.
The Chairman Governing Council, Federal University of Education ( FUE) Kontagora, Niger State, Prof. Dayo Faduyile, OON, has felicitated Nigerian children on the occasion of the year 2025 Children’s Day celebration.
Prof.Faduyile in his congratulatory statement to mark the Children’s Day celebration , which he personally endorsed, noted that children deserved to be celebrated as they are joy givers in the society and the foundation of the future of the nation. He said the children of today are the leaders of tomorrow , hence the need to always set for them a very good example which they will be keen to follow for them to evolve as the leaders the society will be proud of.
The one time National President , Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) said it is disillusionment for those who claim leaders recycle themselves in leadership position and are not yielding responsibilities to children of yore who have climbed to the top of the ladder of adulthood, stressing that a good number of those who are State Governors and Ministers, State Commissioners , Assembly Members and Council Chairmen today were relatively unknown kids on the block in the 70s and early 80s when the Awolowos, Shagaris, Jakandes, Ajasins and other prominent leaders of those generations gone by held sway in the corridors of power and championed forthright leadership in Nigeria, adding that the witty saying that ‘ children are the leaders of tomorrow’ still holds relevance and offers a good reason why the society should not trifle with the upbringing of the children population.
The Professor of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Pathology advised parents to pay attention to the health of their children right from the cradle till they evolve on the teenage ladder and even beyond, maintaining that as long as the hope of the future is in the healthy growth of the children, parents should endeavour to properly pay attention to the health, growth and wellbeing of the Nigerian child. He noted that there are diseases which affect the growth of children , stressing that these diseases are preventable as well as curable if only parents steadfastly look out for their children.”There are many diseases and sicknesses that can affect the growth and development of children.
” There are Infectious Diseases such as Malaria which results in anemia, malnutrition, and stunted growth.
Tuberculosis (TB) can affect physical growth and development if left untreated and if parents out of ignorance or poor curative understanding allow it to worsen.
” We must not forget that HIV/AIDS is very real and impacts physical and cognitive development if a parent is a carrier and it got transmitted to the child.
Measles leads to malnutrition, pneumonia, and other complications while whooping cough (Pertussis) can cause respiratory problems and malnutrition.”
Going further, Prof. Faduyile called on parents to pay attention to nutritional deficiencies in their children.”There are nutritional deficiencies amongst which are
Protein-energy malnutrition which results in stunted growth, wasting, and developmental delays.
Vitamin D deficiency which is the major cause of rickets, affecting bone growth and development.
Iron deficiency anemia which when it affects a child impacts cognitive and physical development.”
The former Special Adviser to Ondo State Government on Health indicated that in a child’s development, some chronic conditions do surface, adding that when a parent feels such condition in a child, there must not be delay in seeking medical condition. He listed such conditions to include Asthma, which he said can affect physical activity and overall health; Diabetes which requires careful management to prevent growth and developmental problems, stressing that Diabetes do occur in children. “There are Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, Monogenic Diabetes and Secondary Diabetes. In Type 1 Diabetes, there is an autoimmune system attacks and it destroys the cells in the pancreas which produce insulin. This type is most common in children and young adults.
“Type 2 Diabetes involved a metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion is increasingly being diagnosed in children particularly those who are obese or overweight.”
Prof. Faduyile maintained that symptoms of Diabetes in children include increased thirst and urination, fatigue, weight loss, recurring infection and blurred vision. “We must note that early detection and proper management of Diabetes in children can help prevent long term complications like kidney damage, heart disease and vision challenge.”
He said many of the conditions earlier indicated can be prevented or managed with proper medical care, nutrition, and a safe environment. “As parents who are committed to our children’s well-being, we must indulge regular check-ups with healthcare providers and stay up-to-date on vaccinations that can help to identify and address any of these potential issues quite early at the developmental stage in the growth of our children,” Prof. Faduyile advised.
The academic also charged government to rev up support for Child Right Act to prevent the exploitation of the Nigerian Child.