The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, inaugurated the RSU Children’s Parliament and the University Pupil Choir during the institution’s Children’s Day celebration at the Vice-Chancellor’s Lodge, where he pledged full inclusion for every child in the university community.
The Children’s Parliament was constituted at the event with Miss Favour Amadi of RSU Staff School elected as Speaker. The Parliament in its inaugural sitting, resolved to request inclusive playgrounds and digital literacy clubs.
The newly formed University Pupil Choir performed for the first time at the event. Choir member Master David Okoro said: “The VC said our talents matter. Singing today shows RiSU is keeping that promise. We are the Future Now.”
Addressing the children under the national theme; “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child,”_ Prof. Zeb-Obipi said: “My dear Children of the Rivers State University family, Happy Children’s Day to every one of you”.
“Today, as your Vice-Chancellor, I am not speaking to you as students or pupils alone. I am speaking to you as a Father, as a Teacher, and as a fellow member of this great RiSU family.”
He told the gathering: “‘Future Now’ means we cannot postpone your happiness, your safety, or your education until tomorrow. ‘Inclusion’ means you all matter, the child of a Professor, the child of a Security Officer, the child of a Cleaner, the child of a Librarian, the child of a Technologist. It means the child who speaks fast and the child who needs more time. The child who runs and the child who uses a wheelchair. Nobody is to be left outside.”
The Vice-Chancellor outlined four commitments to the children including protection through a secure campus and a safe Nigeria, educational support, including access to university libraries, laboratories, and ICT hubs during holidays, while urging head teachers to utilise the ICT Innovation Hub for training on emerging technologies.
He guaranteed that children would be heard through the newly created Children’s Parliament and the RiSU Children’s Day Pledge, pledging also that children’s talents in science, sports, music, and art would be celebrated beyond May 27, noting that the University Pupil Choir was established to further this goal.
Prof. Zeb-Obipi charged them to dream without limits, “You can be Engineers, Doctors, Artists, Coders, farmers, or a Vice Chancellor in future. Practice Inclusion. At school, do not leave any classmate alone. Love Learning. Read beyond your textbooks. Honour Your Parents and Teachers.”
He quoted the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu: “Never allow your circumstances limit your dreams.”
He added: “My dear children, you are more than 40% of Nigeria’s population. That means Nigeria’s future is literally in your hands. The future is not later. The future is now. And in this RiSU family, every child will be included.”
The Vice Chancellor commended staff and thanked Governor Siminalayi Fubara “for implementing the harmonized new minimum wage for the University this month.”
The children subsequently took the RiSU Children’s Day Pledge and concluded with a cake-cutting session joined by the Vice Chancellor, amidst a surplus supply of gifts, drinks and food for all participants.
