Health
THE Katsina State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Thursday commemorated the International Day of Play (IDOP) in Mashi Local Government Area.
The event, held at Gamzo Primary School in Mashi LGA, brought together stakeholders who advocated increased use of play as a tool for learning and child development.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Day of Play is observed every June 11 to promote awareness of the importance of play in children’s learning, development, and well-being.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Kabir Magaji, described the occasion as an important platform for advancing child-centred education.
Represented by the Director of Academic Services, Bishir Ahmad-Mani, Magaji commended teachers for their dedication and described Mashi LGA as a suitable host for the programme.
“Mashi Local Government is the best location for accommodating such programmes, and the teachers here are very hardworking and brilliant,” he said.
Magaji also praised Gov. Dikko Radda for his commitment to improving access to quality education across the state.
He appreciated UNICEF, the Mashi Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), and teachers for supporting the initiative.
Also speaking, the representative of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mannir Danjuma, congratulated the LGA and Gamzo Primary School for hosting the event.
He assured participants of the ministry’s continued support for programmes aimed at enhancing children’s learning and overall development.
Danjuma encouraged teachers and parents to give children adequate opportunities to play, saying it would improve their understanding of lessons and support their emotional well-being.
The UNICEF focal person at SUBEB, Hauwa Kai-Kai, said every child had the right to play and stressed that safe and inclusive play opportunities were critical to healthy childhood development.
“Through play, children explore, discover, and build critical life skills. UNICEF will continue to support Katsina State to integrate play into early childhood and basic education,” she said.
Kai-Kai also urged parents to actively engage in play with their children, explaining that such interaction promotes emotional growth and helps protect them from negative influences.
The Education Secretary of Mashi LGEA, Kabir Ali, stressed that play remains a vital component of children’s growth and learning.
According to him, many concepts are better understood by children through play, making it an essential part of their educational development.
Ali urged parents, particularly fathers, to devote time to playing with their children at home, noting that such engagement contributes positively to their emotional and educational development. (NAN)
A.I
June 12, 2026
Tags: United Nations Children’s Fund