Bauchi First Lady hosts 2026 New Year and Christmas children’s party, harps on education and peace

By Zainab Faruk

The Wife of the Bauchi State Governor, Hajiya Aishatu Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has reaffirmed her commitment to the welfare, education and protection of women and children in the state, as she hosted the 2026 New Year and Christmas Children’s Party in Bauchi.

The annual event, organized by the Office of the First Lady in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, brought together children from across the state, their parents and guardians, government officials, as well as Islamic and Christian religious leaders.

Speaking at the occasion, Hajiya Aishatu Bala Mohammed expressed gratitude to God for sparing lives to witness the New Year and Christmas celebrations, describing the gathering as a moment of joy, thanksgiving and renewed hope.

She commended her husband, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, for what she described as his unwavering commitment to policies and programmes aimed at improving the lives of women and children in Bauchi State.

“As the mother of the state, I am deeply concerned about the growth and wellbeing of our children. I urge you to uphold good values, respect your parents, elders and teachers, and remain obedient, disciplined and focused on your studies, because education remains the strongest foundation for a successful future,” she said.

The First Lady assured that her office would continue to support initiatives that promote the welfare, education and overall development of women and children across the state, while wishing the children a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Earlier, the Speaker of the Bauchi State Children’s Parliament, Zainab Muhammad, delivered a vote of thanks on behalf of children in the state, expressing appreciation to the First Lady, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, and other leaders for organizing the celebration and prioritising children’s rights and welfare.

She pledged that children would remain respectful to their parents and teachers, focus on their education, promote peace, unity and good morals, and prayed for continued peace and prosperity in Bauchi State and Nigeria at large.

In his remarks, an Islamic scholar, Imam Abdulrahman Ibrahim Idris, stressed that education remains the most critical tool for national development, warning that neglecting children’s education would have grave consequences for the future.

He noted that knowledge, economic strength and security are the pillars upon which successful nations are built, urging parents to take the education of their children seriously as Nigeria’s growing population could become a strength only if it is well educated. He also called on children to embrace peace, tolerance and mutual respect among people of different faiths.

Similarly, a Christian cleric, Reverend Masoyi, praised the First Lady and the Bauchi State leadership for fostering peace and unity in the state. He urged parents to instil the fear of God, gratitude and love for one another in their children, noting that peace, gratitude and good neighbourliness are essential for sustainable development.

He cited biblical teachings on peacemaking and mutual coexistence, calling on residents of the state to continue supporting their leaders through prayers, unity and hard work.

The event featured prayers, goodwill messages and the distribution of gifts to children, marking the celebration as a symbol of interfaith harmony, hope and collective commitment to building a better future for Bauchi State.