As part of activities to commemorate the World Children’s Day, leading telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria, and UNICEF hosted Augusta Anuguo (‘Esther’), the differently abled child star featured in Airtel’s latest TVC, ‘Esther’.

During the ceremony at the Airtel Headquarters, Ikoyi, Lagos, Miss Anuguo had the rare privilege to function in the capacity of Airtel Nigeria’s CEO and MD, Surendran Chemmenkotil as she emerged CEO for the day.

Using this privilege and executive powers as CEO, she remarkably led an advocacy campaign for Nigerian children, especially the differently abled as she signed a policy for Airtel Nigeria to continue to pursue opportunities that will accelerate digital learning for all children in the country, regardless of ethnicity, location, or ability.

In response, the Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Surendran Chemmenkotil, assured her of the company’s commitment to digital learning in Nigeria.

“Airtel Nigeria joins UNICEF and the entire world to mark the World Children’s Day. As a company, Airtel is committed to Nigerian children and will continue to support initiatives that will create a better future for all children. We are happy to mark this day with Esther as well as all Nigerian children and we shall continue to support platforms and initiatives that will lead to better future for all children in our dear country, Nigeria, he said.

The CEO also awarded the sum of N1.5m to young Anuguo to support her education and her advocacy for Nigerian children as a key influencer.

“I am also happy to offer Miss Anuguo a scholarship of N1.5m to support her education. This gesture is to encourage her to continue her advocacy for differently abled children as she champions their cause as a key influencer. Thank you for all you do, Anuguo.,” he said.

World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare.

November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Since 1990, World Children’s Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the UN General Assembly adopted both the Declaration and the Convention on children’s rights.

Mothers and fathers, teachers, nurses and doctors, government leaders and civil society activists, religious and community elders, corporate moguls and media professionals, as well as young people and children themselves, can play an important part in making World Children’s Day relevant for their societies, communities and nations.

World Children’s Day offers each of us an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote and celebrate children’s rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children.