As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark this year’s Children’s Day celebration, our hearts remain heavy with pain, fear and sorrow over the recent kidnapping of innocent school children in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, alongside the tragic killing of a teacher in the line of duty.
At a time when children should be celebrated, protected and given hope for a brighter tomorrow, many Nigerian children are living in fear, uncertainty and trauma. Schools, which should be safe places for learning and growth, are gradually becoming centers of panic and insecurity. This ugly reality calls for sober reflection rather than celebration.
We therefore call on the National Union of Teachers (NUT), the Ministry of Education, educational stakeholders, civil society groups, religious bodies and all well-meaning Nigerians across the South West and the entire country to observe this year’s Children’s Day as a “Red Children’s Day” — a day of mourning, awareness and urgent demand for government action.
The blood of innocent teachers and the tears of kidnapped children cry loudly for justice. The future of Nigeria is under attack, and silence can no longer be an option.
The Nigerian government must wake up to its responsibility of protecting lives and properties. Our children deserve safety. Our teachers deserve protection. Parents deserve peace of mind. Communities deserve security.
We strongly call on the Federal Government and security agencies to:
•Intensify efforts in rescuing all kidnapped children and victims.
•Ensure that those responsible for these evil acts are arrested and prosecuted.
•Strengthen security around schools and vulnerable communities.
•Improve intelligence gathering and proactive security operations.
•Declare stronger and stricter punishment against banditry, terrorism and kidnapping.
•Restore confidence in the nation’s security architecture.
Nigeria cannot continue to lose its future generation to insecurity. We refuse to become wanderers in our own land. We refuse to watch our homes become desolate because of fear and violence.
We want sanity back in our country.
We want peace restored in our communities.
We want our children back home safely.
We want our teachers protected.
The time to act is now.
A nation that fails to protect its children is gradually destroying its tomorrow. Let this Children’s Day not only be a day of remembrance, but also a turning point for national awakening and decisive action.
Nigerian Government — act fast and act now.
From:
IGE OLALEKAN.B
LIGHTHOUSE MEDIA PROMOTION
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