75 YEARS OF CARE

To commemorate UNICEF's 75th anniversary, I was commissioned to produce a collection of captivating images and stories of Nigerians across the country who were born during the same period UNICEF began working for the rights and well-being of every child in the world. for a virtual exhibition. 

Through this series, individuals, through their stories, highlight the importance of education, the value of hard work, and the need for societal unity to provide a better future for children. 

SAIDI BUHARI BININCHI

" Getting to seventy-five is a joyful thing for me because I don't have to go out to do any work, unlike some of my peers who wake up and still try to work in order to sustain themselves."

"What I want for every child in the community is education, irrespective of who you are, either my child or not, because it is a top priority for me. I believe no matter how rich or influential you are in the community, lack of education will limit your impact. It is only knowledge that stays with you forever, even till death."

Elder John Kolawole Duwoye and Mrs. Mabel Bolaji Diwoye

Elder John: "Indeed, discipline and education are pillars of a strong future. My journey to Ibadan for secondary school opened many doors for me. Even though I had to walk long distances and face numerous challenges, those experiences shaped my character. I believe that for children today, enduring hardships and staying focused on education are essential for success."

Mrs. Mabel: "Absolutely. As a housewife, I've seen how crucial it is to maintain a strong family foundation. Despite the difficulties, we've always emphasized the importance of prayer, good behavior, and hard work. Our children have grown up with these values, and it’s evident in their achievements. We pray for every child to have the opportunity to learn and grow in a loving, disciplined environment."

Elder John: "And let's not forget the importance of health. As we age, maintaining a healthy lifestyle becomes even more critical. We've learned to listen to medical advice, eat wisely, and stay active. This is something every child should be taught from a young age. Health, along with education and moral upbringing, sets the foundation for a long, fulfilling life."

Mrs. Mabel: "And as we look to the future, we hope for a society where every child is given the chance to succeed, where parents lead by example, and where communities come together to support the next generation. Our prayers are with the children of Nigeria, that they may grow up in peace, health, and prosperity."

ROY LEOPOLD DENANI

"You see, when I look at the boys playing or running around, I remember the days when I was younger, when I played football or did boxing. I feel excited watching them make a lot of mistakes; they resort into fighting one another. I am forced to go and separate them, sometimes I fall to the ground. You can see me with a walking stick.I love the age now because I see a lot of things that make me laugh and then I remember the past."

"A brighter future, for example, where there is peace, where there will be no war, no discrimination, whether you are from the north, east, south, and so on. Where they see you as a Nigerian, because when we were growing up, we made friends with northerners. The moment the war broke out, we wept carrying guns against our brothers and fighting them. The society should provide children good food, good roads, good education, good health, and many more."

MARIAMA

I am thankful that I was married to a man who was loving and caring, he understood me a lot, a devout Muslim imam. I am very happy I have lived peacefully with my husband until the time of his death. That reminds me a lot about how exciting life is compared to the way things are right now."

For my children and grandchildren, I wish them to know. Those who are in the university seeking Western knowledge to become useful, and those who are into Islamic studies should be able to use it properly. For my children and grandchildren who are into Islamic studies, I pray they become useful citizens in society."

My fear for children nowadays is that idleness has taken over. I go around town and see them sitting idle, no school, no skill. I feel very bad because I can’t do anything about it. Most of the kids do not even listen when you try to caution them. I only pray to God for guidance and also to provide a means for them to survive.

I do not want any child in the community to act irresponsibly, just as I would not want my own children to. I want them to go to school and become useful to themselves and society. I want a female child, to go to school and get both Western and Islamic education, then return home, get married, and procreate. It's more honourable to get married and have children in the community. All my children got married the right way and it gives me a lot of joy and I wish that for other females in society. In Muslim society, you are responsible for your brother in the faith.”

NINA NENE IRUKU

"I envisage a future where every child in Nigeria should be well-educated. I envisage a future where the government will make education compulsory and free to the secondary school level, so everyone will have that basic education. I also envisage a future where children will be given more time by their parents because, most of the time, their parents should devote more time to child's upbringing.”

"I fear most children are growing up with insecurity due to the ugly events in our society. It is the responsibility of the parents to correct and teach them the real values of life and the norms of society so that they will always be focused on”"I think society owes children a lot. There’s an adage in Igbo that says ‘nwa bu nwa ora’ - every child is everyone’s child. When a child misbehaves, don’t say since it’s not my child, therefore, it’s not my concern. Try to correct them and do it in love, show them the need for peace, show them the need for forgiveness, and help them when there’s need.”

Chief Bassey Bassey Okokon

“I feel very happy to be 75 years old. I also wish to last longer than this so I can see my great-grandchildren. I wish to be around to make them happy and guide them through life.

You have to take life very simply so you can live long. Don’t let anything bother your mind, don’t harbour grudges with anyone, and live peacefully with everyone.

My fear for today’s children is that they join gangs, which is not good for a responsible child. I always advise my grandchildren against these things because it doesn’t make them good citizens.

Society, in general, owes children the responsibility of guiding them through life, and the government should make serious efforts to provide jobs for them to discourage them from going into crime.

My message to Nigerian children is that they should respect their elders and live a responsible life.”

NANA USMAN

"I wish Nigerian children a successful future, where they can go to school to acquire knowledge and get a job or get a skill that can help them to be responsible citizens. When they have skills and can sustain themselves, they will not beg, they will not steal, they can support their parents and society. I wish them to enjoy a peaceful society and a prosperous future."

 "My fear for children nowadays is that there are so many ills in the society and their attention is focused on people who are rich without knowing the means with which they get rich. In chasing riches, they get themselves involved in different kinds of vices. I hope they make themselves responsible by acquiring a skill and getting an education so that people do not come and entice them with wealth. I also pray that God blesses them and makes them responsible to withstand peer pressure."

“Society owes the children an enabling environment where they can acquire a skill because by so doing it will take care of the issue of banditry and help them to be responsible. Parents should also be responsible for their children by providing their basic needs and teaching them good morals, leading them on the right path. When all of these things are in place, politicians cannot use them by giving them drugs or ammunition to fight during elections. This knowledge will help them make good decisions. If the child has no father, the responsibility rests on the mother."

Alhaji Abdulfatai Oluyide

"I want the youth to know God so that their lives can change for the better." "I usually tell my children to be loyal, trustworthy, honest, and hardworking and not be in a hurry to achieve their goals." "People of my age should not smoke, they should not drink. They should reduce sexual intercourse, even their food should make it quarterly for them."

"I enjoy good health because my children monitor me, from food to anything else. They supply me with everything." "I have been very lucky, I don’t womanize, the three wives I married were through a friend."

Hajiya Isa Balu

“I am very happy to have attained the age of a hundred. I have my people around me, all my teeth are intact, and I appreciate God for everything. The only thing I am waiting for is to return to my Creator. I wish my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren good health and pray to God that they return safely to their ancestral homes in dignity.I want a good education for my children, both Western and Islamic education. They should be able to go to their farms and maintain their small-scale businesses.”

Yakaka Adam

“What is important for me at this age is that I can eat and drink, i have my own house, and I am also very fit compared to some of my friends. I give God the glory.

I want my children to be educated and have a means of livelihood for themselves, but education first and then marketing which involves buying and selling. education and vocational skills.

With all the issues of insurgency that we experience every day, I do not wish for my children to experience this in the future.

we want the government to return us to our base or give us accommodation, food and other basic amenities. we want the government to improve on our children’s education, ways of livelihood, and increase our health care supplies. I remain grateful to God.”