The executive director of corporate services for Children’s Day Essay Competition (CDEC), Bukola Adeboye, has stressed the need for active participation by Nigerian children in the annual children’s day essay competition, saying the initiative seamlessly integrates technology, education and leadership, equipping young minds with the skills and vision needed to shape Nigeria’s future.
According to her, the submissions for its 6th Annual Children’s Day Essay Competition (CDEC), themed, “How I Would Use Technology to Mobilise My Peers for a Greater Nigeria,” has opened.
Adeboye explained that the CDEC is a flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), adding that the competition portal is now open, inviting young minds to craft bold, original, innovative and actionable ideas that harness the power of technology to inspire their peers, drive social change and shape Nigeria’s future.
“Nigerian children represent the dynamic force that will steer the country towards a future defined by innovation, inclusivity, and accountable leadership. By challenging them to reimagine the role of technology in influencing their peers, we are not only cultivating creativity and critical thinking but also instilling a sense of duty to drive tangible social progress.
“We believe parents, teachers, and school administrators play a key role in shaping how young Nigerians engage with important societal issues. By actively discussing ideas with them, and encouraging independent thought, they can help nurture their insights into real-world solutions that will drive positive change, paving the way for a nation built on the pillars of social harmony and economic growth.
“The competition is designed to stimulate the intellectual curiosity of Nigeria’s youth, urging them to view technology not merely as a tool for entertainment but as a powerful catalyst for much needed social change. When children and adolescents recognise their capacity to lead, they begin to understand that their ideas can bridge long-standing developmental gaps.
“In a nation where many communities still contend with infrastructural deficits and educational inequities among other prevailing challenges, such creative expressions are not only refreshing but essential. They signal a readiness among young Nigerians to redefine governance and national progress by embracing the transformative potential of technology in creating a new Nigeria.”
