75 YEARS OF CARE
To commemorate UNICEF’s 75th anniversary, I was commissioned to create a series of photographs and personal stories of Nigerians born around the time UNICEF began its work advocating for the rights and well-being of children worldwide. Presented as a virtual exhibition, the project brings together voices whose lives have unfolded alongside UNICEF’s enduring presence in Nigeria.
Through their reflections, these individuals speak to the lasting power of education, the dignity of hard work, and the importance of community and shared responsibility. Together, their stories offer a collective vision—one that reminds us that a better future for children is built through care, unity, and sustained commitment across generations.
CHIEF MRS IYABODE COKER OLOWU
“I grew up in a Lagos where we were raised as one family. Discipline, education, and care for one another shaped us—your neighbour corrected you, your parents reinforced it, and everyone believed that a child must be sent to school. That foundation followed me through life: in my work as a nurse, as a businesswoman, and as a community leader. When a child is well brought up, it shows in their character, their work, their family life, and how they treat others.”
“Today, my hope for Nigerian children is simple but urgent: fewer children, better care, strong values, and education rooted in hard work and honesty. Charity truly begins at home, but society and government must also do their part—providing health, education, and safety—so every child can grow with dignity. If we raise children with love, discipline, and opportunity, they will build a future far better than the one we fear today.”
SAIDI BUHARI BININCHI
" Getting to seventy-five is a joyful thing for me because I don't have to go out to do any work, unlike some of my peers who wake up and still try to work in order to sustain themselves."
"What I want for every child in the community is education, irrespective of who you are, either my child or not, because it is a top priority for me. I believe no matter how rich or influential you are in the community, lack of education will limit your impact. It is only knowledge that stays with you forever, even till death."
CHIEF BASSEY BASSEY OKOKON
“I feel very happy to be 75 years old. I also wish to last longer than this so I can see my great-grandchildren. I wish to be around to make them happy and guide them through life.
You have to take life very simply so you can live long. Don’t let anything bother your mind, don’t harbour grudges with anyone, and live peacefully with everyone.
My fear for today’s children is that they join gangs, which is not good for a responsible child. I always advise my grandchildren against these things because it doesn’t make them good citizens.
Society, in general, owes children the responsibility of guiding them through life, and the government should make serious efforts to provide jobs for them to discourage them from going into crime.
My message to Nigerian children is that they should respect their elders and live a responsible life.”
YAKAKA ADAM
“What is important for me at this age is that I can eat and drink, i have my own house, and I am also very fit compared to some of my friends. I give God the glory.
I want my children to be educated and have a means of livelihood for themselves, but education first and then marketing which involves buying and selling. education and vocational skills.
With all the issues of insurgency that we experience every day, I do not wish for my children to experience this in the future.
we want the government to return us to our base or give us accommodation, food and other basic amenities. we want the government to improve on our children’s education, ways of livelihood, and increase our health care supplies. I remain grateful to God.”
ELDER JOHN KOLAWOLE DUWOYE
“Discipline, education, and resilience shaped my life. Walking long distances to school in Ibadan and facing daily challenges taught me focus and endurance, lessons that stayed with me into adulthood. I believe children today must learn that education, good health, and perseverance go hand in hand—when a child is taught to work hard, live responsibly, and care for their well-being, they are better prepared for a long, meaningful life.”
MRS. MABEL BOLAJI DIWOYE
“As a mother and homemaker, I have learned that a strong family foundation is where a child’s future begins. Through prayer, good behaviour, and hard work, we raised our children with values that guided their growth and achievements. My hope is for a society where parents lead by example and communities support one another, so every child can grow in love, discipline, health, and the opportunity to succeed.”
ROY LEOPOLD DENANI
"You see, when I look at the boys playing or running around, I remember the days when I was younger, when I played football or did boxing. I feel excited watching them make a lot of mistakes; they resort into fighting one another. I am forced to go and separate them, sometimes I fall to the ground. You can see me with a walking stick.I love the age now because I see a lot of things that make me laugh and then I remember the past."
"A brighter future, for example, where there is peace, where there will be no war, no discrimination, whether you are from the north, east, south, and so on. Where they see you as a Nigerian, because when we were growing up, we made friends with northerners. The moment the war broke out, we wept carrying guns against our brothers and fighting them. The society should provide children good food, good roads, good education, good health, and many more."
MARIAMA
“I am grateful for a life shared with a loving and understanding husband, a devout imam, with whom I lived in peace until his passing. From that life, I learned the value of harmony, responsibility, and faith. My hope for my children and grandchildren is that whether they pursue Western education or Islamic studies, they use their knowledge wisely and grow into people who are useful to themselves and to society.”
“What worries me today is seeing children idle, without school or skills, drifting without guidance. I pray they find direction and support, because every child deserves the chance to learn, to live responsibly, and to contribute meaningfully to their community. In our faith, we are responsible for one another, and it is my wish that every child—especially girls—can be educated, grounded in values, and grow into adulthood with dignity, purpose, and peace.”
NINA NENE IRUKU
"I envisage a future where every child in Nigeria should be well-educated. I envisage a future where the government will make education compulsory and free to the secondary school level, so everyone will have that basic education. I also envisage a future where children will be given more time by their parents because, most of the time, their parents should devote more time to child's upbringing.”
"I fear most children are growing up with insecurity due to the ugly events in our society. It is the responsibility of the parents to correct and teach them the real values of life and the norms of society so that they will always be focused on”"I think society owes children a lot. There’s an adage in Igbo that says ‘nwa bu nwa ora’ - every child is everyone’s child. When a child misbehaves, don’t say since it’s not my child, therefore, it’s not my concern. Try to correct them and do it in love, show them the need for peace, show them the need for forgiveness, and help them when there’s need.”
ALHAJI ABDULFATAI OLUYIDE
"I want the youth to know God so that their lives can change for the better." "I usually tell my children to be loyal, trustworthy, honest, and hardworking and not be in a hurry to achieve their goals." "People of my age should not smoke, they should not drink. They should reduce sexual intercourse, even their food should make it quarterly for them."
"I enjoy good health because my children monitor me, from food to anything else. They supply me with everything." "I have been very lucky, I don’t womanize, the three wives I married were through a friend."
NANA USMAN
“I wish Nigerian children a future where education and skills open real opportunities—where they can work with dignity, sustain themselves, support their families, and contribute positively to society. When a child is equipped with knowledge and practical skills, they do not need to beg or steal; they grow into responsible citizens who can thrive in peace and help build a prosperous nation.”
“My fear is that many children are drawn to wealth without understanding its source, making them vulnerable to vices and manipulation. Society must create an enabling environment for learning and skills acquisition, while parents guide their children with care, discipline, and strong morals. When children are supported at home and protected by opportunity, they can resist peer pressure, make wise choices, and grow into adults who cannot be exploited, but instead stand firmly on their own values and purpose.”