The Centre for Innovative and Pragmatic Development Initiative (CIPDI) on Thursday, organised a special event for pupils in Enugu, Imo and Jigawa states in commemoration of the 2022 International Day of the African Child.

Ten pupils were drawn from each of the following: Galaxy Foundation, Leonagoeminds International School and Obosima Primary School, Obosima Town School Excel Primary School and  in Imo state;

In Jigawa state also, 10 pupils were drawn each from Bint Umar Memorial School, Ihsan Academy, Government Day Arabic Secondary School Baure, Dutse Model International School and Bamama Primary School for Nomads and Golden Light School.

Also in Enugu state, another pupils were drawn each from Sacred Heart Seminary, Nsude Udi LDA of Enugu; Jesus The Good Shepherd Academy, Idaw River Girls Secondary School, Enugu; and School of Blind and Deaf.

With “Towards Early Childhood Qualitative Education for the African Child” as CIPDI’s sub-theme for the programme which dwelled on Early Childhood Education, the President of CIPDI, Mr Ifeanyi Nwanoro said the reason for the special event is to “Catch Them Young” and hear the pupils’ various challenges in their schools.

This, he added, is to identify those challenges with a view to work out how to solve them. “This is the beginning of service delivery from CIPDI to the chosen schools. Our work just begun. It is time for us to roll up our sleeves and invest in the future and education of our children.

“They are today’s leaders, today’s innovators that will address the challenges of tomorrow. That is why as an organisation, we work with all the participating schools to give the children the tools to win and achieve great things,” Nwanoro said.

The children in the states called on governments at all levels to prioritize basic education for their brighter future, while advising parents to send their children to school as well as take care of them to become future leaders, including being doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc.

The children also presented papers on the importance of child education as the best in the history of mankind, they also demonstrated cultural dance and displayed placards calling on Nigerians to be united.

Other events included debate, dance, questions and answers.

There are 4 major concepts or cardinal points CIPDI upholds

1. Innovation: our desire and ability to search for new ways to get things done. Creating and developing system, while challenging the status quo. Good is not good enough.

1. Initiative: the courage to take a bold step, to make a difference in our communities, the audacity to stand, and give people the confidence to tell their own stories and change their narratives. The willingness and readiness to be beyond being successful.

4. Pragmatic: the practical reality of designing our own methods, and not afraid to fail, and when we fail, we get up and keep trying until we get to the goal.
5. Development: dynamic, everyday, every situation is an opportunity to learn, to teach, to lift up, and to be great. We design, we build, we encourage, we teach, we illuminate, we inspire and we leave a mark of great impact wherever we are and whatever we touch.