Children’s Day celebration in Nigeria Five things you should know

Children are young and beautiful creatures; and with their innocent smiles and carefree spirits, they steal the hearts of many. Little wonder there is a day set aside to celebrate them. Children’s Day, which is celebrated in Nigeria on May 27 annually, is dedicated to celebrating children all over the world, and for adults to remember their childhood experiences. The celebration of Children’s Day has its origins dating back to Pastor Charles Leonard’s service for children in 1857 in the United States. The International Children’s Day was first marked in Turkey on April 23, 1920, and later adopted by the UN on November 20, 1954. Different countries celebrate Children’s Day on various dates and it is a day to honour children’s rights to health, education, and protection. Activities on this day include excursions, parties, funfairs, and outreach programs.

Children on parade – ARDnig

Origin of Children’s Day Celebration

The earliest celebration of Children’s Day can be traced back to the United States of America in 1857, where a certain Pastor Charles Leonard held a service for children at his church. Locally, the service became known as Children’s Day. After then, similar celebrations to celebrate children began to occur in different parts of the world. The International Children’s Day was first marked in Turkey on April 23, 1920. Later, on June 1, 1925, during the World Conference on the Welfare of Children, the International Children’s Day was declared as Universal Children’s Day.

Evolution to International Children’s Day

The idea of a Universal Children’s Day was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1954. In the year 1959, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child on that same day while the official decree on the protection of children’s rights was established on November 20, 1989.

Children celebrating children’s day -ARDnig

Diverse Celebration Dates

 While November 20 is recognized as Universal Children’s Day by the UN, the day is celebrated on different dates,  such as May 27 in Nigeria, June 1 in China, May 5 in Japan, and August 20 in Britain. Children’s Day serves as a reminder of children’s rights to health, education, and protection. It emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and nurturing environment for children to thrive and reach their full potential. The day also aims to raise awareness about issues affecting children and advocate for their well-being on a global scale.

Activities and Event

Though it is not a general public holiday in Nigeria, the day is set aside to honour the younger generation and, thus, primary and secondary children are given a day off from school. In addition to the festivities and celebrations, Children’s Day celebrations encompass a wide range of activities and events that cater to the interests and enjoyment of children. These may include educational programs, funfair, cultural performances, parties, parades, and outreach programs, sports competitions, art exhibitions, and interactive workshops, aiming to create a festive and engaging environment for children, Schools, community centers, and government organizations often host events to engage children and promote their talents and creativity. Most of these activities are held at special centers like stadiums, amusement parks, and other notable places. Some government bodies, media organizations, and non-governmental organizations also take the day out to reach out to children and help them in several ways. Parents celebrate their children too on this day, by getting them presents, taking the out on excursions, and giving them a treat.

Children fun time on children’s day – ARDnig

Children’s Day celebrations embody the essence of childhood—innocence, playfulness, and imagination—while also shedding light on the rights and well-being of every child. By commemorating Children’s Day worldwide, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing the future generation, celebrating their uniqueness, and advocating for a world where every child is cherished, protected, and empowered to fulfill their potential.  and initiatives aimed at honoring and recognizing children all around the world.