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Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has been bestowed the award of “Father of the Nigerian Child” by members of the National Children Parliament.

The parliament, which concluded a three-day national retreat recently in Uyo, cited the free and compulsory education policy of Governor Akpabio, free health care for children, as well as the signing into law of the child’s right act as well as the governor’s huge infrastructure renaissance in the state, as some of the reasons for honouring him.

The parliament debunked reports of a boycott of this year’s Children’s Day celebration coming up on may 27 on account of the insurgency in the North-East.

The 2014 Children’s Parliament with the theme ‘Promoting the participatory rights of the Nigerian child’, in a resolution called on ministries of women affairs in the country to emulate Akwa Ibom example by promoting the participatory rights of the Nigerian child in schools and other socio-cultural activities. It also urged government and public-spirited individuals to join hands in working to ensure the insecurity in some parts of the country is brought under control.

The Speaker of National Children Parliament, Master Idara Thompson, expressed gratitude of the parliament to Governor Akpabio for the hosting of the retreat in the state. He said that what they have seen in the state has challenged them to take up active roles in nation building.

Master Idara described as unfortunate, the ploy by some people to drag the group into controversy by cashing in on their innocence to speculate such unpatriotic falsehood such as a plan by the group to boycott the Children’s Day event which is set aside to celebrate their “treasured status” as children.

•Photo shows Governor Akpabio.

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