By joshua 
Kogi State Government has rewarded the best pupils of the maiden edition of the 2021 Easter Fiesta Spelling Bee Competition held during the year’s Easter celebration for Children, on the premises of Radio Kogi, it was organised by its Broadcasting Corporation in Lokoja.
Winners who got cash rewards also had the opportunity to cast the Radio Kogi News Hour to mark World Children’s Day.
The Convener, Princess Hawa Yussuff who is also the Head Commercial Department of the State Radio Broadcasting Corporation, (Radio Kogi) said the government through the Ministry Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo gave the cash awards and has promised to provide every opportunity for pupils and students across the state to project their God-given talents through various mentoring and programmes like Easter Fiesta and Children Day.
She used the opportunity to call on the well-meaning citizenry, industries, Agencies, NGOs and corporate organisations to join the government to build a better society free of ills.
On the GYB Children’s Day, she said the government has re-assured the children of adequate care and a continued conducive environment for learning.
Top government functionaries who spoke during the event is the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kinsley Fanwo, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, and the Director-General, Government House Administration, Shuaibu Oricha, represented by the Director Admin and Finance, Stella Ayodele.
In their messages, they urged children to stay away from bad companies, avoid hard drugs, and anything capable of tarnishing their brighter future.
Stella Ayodele encouraged students and pupils to study hard to become positive influencers and good ambassadors of the country.
The Director-General of Pension Commission, Mariam Abedo, called on schools proprietors to take the safety of the pupils and students their top priority, warned against the careless laying of electrical wire and opened sewage tank.
She said children are a heritage from God and any of them that died through the carelessness of the school management cannot be brought back to life.
She encouraged children to be positive at all times.
On a final note, the Director-General, Radio Broadcasting Corporation, Hassan Ozovehe Ojo Oyila commended the government for providing the enabling environment to celebrate children.
He assured parents and children of subsequent editions which he said can only get better.
The Executive Chairman Local Government Service Commission, Adams Adabenege, Chairman Kogi State House of Assembly Service Commission, Abdulmalik Andas, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Electronic Media, Avoyi Nwogu and other dignitaries were also present to honour the day.
It was spiced with a dance competition and spoken words by students.