Timi Dakolo, Nikki Laoye, Iyanya, Others Join Save The Children Organisation at Global Day of Action

Popular Nigerian entertainers, Timi Dakolo, Nikki Laoye, Marvelous Odiefe, and Iyanya teamed up with other well meaning individuals in a campaign aimed at mapping out a sustainable future for children scattered in different parts of the world.

 With the Financing for Development Summit which currently held in  Addis Ababa between 13th and 16th July 2015, the campaign aims at getting the government and other top leaders to tackle tax injustice, crack down on tax dodging and also fund developmental programmes with a focus on the marginalized and those living in poverty and keep their promises.

 Tagged “Global Day of Action: Financing Future”, the event which held in Lagos on Saturday July 11th, 2015 was well attended by top dignitaries and other influential personalities who have the emancipation of children across the world at heart.

 The event put together by Save The Children initiative and Action 2015, one of the world’s largest civil society campaigns, witnessed the attendance of Edwin Ikhuoria of One Campaign, Ben Foot of Save The Children, Oluseyi Oyebisi, Timi Dakolo, Nikki Laoye, Marvelous Odiefe, amongst others.

 Music stars such as Timi Dakolo, Nikki Laoye and Marvelous Odiefe mounted the stage at intervals to thrill guests present to great renditions from their catalogues. MC Abulo was also on hand to treat guests and children present to rib cracking jokes.

 Speaking at the event, Timi Dakolo said it is imperative that the Nigerian government initiate ideas tailored towards safeguarding the future of our children. “We need to invest in the education and well being of the children because even the educated find it difficult to make headway. This is the time to imbibe in the children the innate knowledge of greatness and educate them that they are born to be great. We have to save the future by making plans of a greater tomorrow for our Nigerian children”.

Corroborating Timi Dakolo, award winning soul cum gospel act, Nikki Laoye who did a great rendition of Nigeria’s National anthem at the event said it is high time we pay needed attention to the plight of children across the world. “Ever since I was a child, I like to help people grow because I can’t bear to see people feel hurt or cry. This is what we intend to push to the larger society for people to understand we need to be our brother’s keeper at all times.”

Speaking further Nikki said, “we need to change our orientation about how we look at issues relating to children across the world. Looking at the menace caused in the North East by the insurgents, it hurts to see that children with a brighter future are now used to perpetrate such evil acts. We have to do something to put a stop to these happenings”.

Also, Edwin Ikhuoria from ONE campaign said “This summit could be a game changer, but unless governments do more to provide vital funding for essential services the global goals about to be agreed by the UN will only amount to a gesture. Commitments on international tax cooperation, development assistance and targeted spending toward those living in poverty are hanging in the balance at this week’s summit. We’re here to tell leaders that the time for empty promises is over.”

In more than 70 cities around the world, including Lagos, tens-of-thousands of campaigners backed by leaders such as Desmond Tutu are taking to the streets to call for governments to fairly fund essential services, honour their aid commitments and crack down on tax dodging. The demonstrations, part of the Action 2015 movement is calling on heads of state and finance ministers to make a plan to tackle systemic inequalities, fund the next 15 years of Sustainable Development and long-term action on climate change.

Africa today struggles with high levels of poverty and inequality especially the rural population, with women and girls of living far below the $1.25 and $2 poverty lines. Focusing on increased investment for Africa and domestic resource mobilization are prerequisites for a social compact that will provide essential basic services and boost inclusive & sustainable growth for the continent.