By Abubakar Abraham
The Centre for Family Rescue Law and Development (CENFARLD), has organised a Children’s Book Fair and launch designed to promote reading culture as well as equip young ones with knowledge about internet safety.
The CENFARLD Children’s Book Fair and Book Launch which was held in Lokoja, attracted young readers aged 3–16 with the timely theme “Online Safety for Kids: The Way Forward.”
The event, which brought together parents, teachers, children, and various stakeholders from private and governmental organizations, celebrated creativity while addressing the critical need for digital safety among children in an increasingly online world.
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It was held at the state library, a deliberate choice aimed at highlighting the importance of physical learning spaces.
In a goodwill message delivered on his behalf, Dr. Sule Salihu Enehe, Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, who was unavoidably absent, praised the initiative.
“Children, you are growing up in a digital world full of knowledge, creativity, and opportunity. The internet can help you learn, connect with friends, and share your talents with the world. That is your power,” Dr. Enehe stated. “But with great power comes great responsibility… Be kind with your words, protect your personal information, and always speak to a trusted adult if something online makes you feel uncomfortable, scared, or confused.”
He urged children to apply the same discernment they use in everyday life to their online activities, emphasizing that “No game, video, or stranger online is worth your peace of mind.”
Executive Director of the Renaissance Care and Empowerment Foundation (RECEF), Amb. Idris Muraina, described the programme as both an extension of Children’s Day celebrations and a strategic engagement on Democracy Day.
He highlighted the need to bridge generational gaps in digital engagement and provide children, particularly Generation Alpha, with the skills to navigate the online world safely.
“We are not telling them to stay off screen totally, rather we are providing them skills to be resilient when they are online, so that they don’t get abused or groomed in the wrong way,” Amb. Muraina said. He also used the occasion to draw attention to the dilapidated state of public libraries, calling on the state government to revitalize these vital safe spaces as alternatives to excessive screen time.
A lively question-and-answer session addressed practical concerns, including the meaning of online safety, risks such as cyberbullying, and real-world examples of online grooming. Participants stressed the importance of parental vigilance, noting that children often find ways to access the internet even without direct permission.
Barrister Lilian Okolo, Founder of the Centre for Family Rescue Law and Development, explained the dual focus of the event: promoting online safety education and encouraging a reading culture through a mega book fair. “We want to sensitize parents on the need to buy books for their children,” she said, adding that the programme celebrated creativity by launching books written by young authors.
In her closing remarks, Barrister Okolo expressed her vision for every child to become a leader and critical thinker. She called on parents to nurture their children’s creativity, describing the event as a celebration of young minds taking charge of storytelling and innovation.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of The Graphic Newspaper and Chairman of the ANAN Kogi State chapter advised parents to be actively involved in their children’s lives, noting that children sometimes respond more to fathers due to mothers’ softer approach.
He also encouraged the young authors to prioritize quality and standards in their writing before rushing to publish.
Five new young authors were unveiled during the book launch, including Hammed-Bashar Hamza of Majesty International School, King Shalom Okolo of Breed International School, and Faridat Lawal of GYB Model Science Secondary School, among others. The books, written by children aged 10–14 and were launched to great applause, inspiring hope and courage among the young writers.
The programme underscored a powerful message: while technology offers immense opportunities, equipping children with knowledge, resilience, and safe spaces — both physical libraries and guided digital environments — is essential for their holistic development. Stakeholders pledged continued collaboration to make the internet safer for the leaders of tomorrow.
