It is regrettable that Children’s Day was celebrated on May 27 amidst hunger and starvation in Nigeria. There is no doubt “children are leaders of today and ambassadors of tomorrow”, but this happens only in the developed world, where there are provisions and plans for the children in terms moral upbringing, good education, health facilities, among others. It’s a dirty slap on the Nigeria’s face celebrating children’s day amidst hunger and starvation, kidnapping of students in schools, poor learning environment, child trafficking, rape, child abuse, street begging, etc.
Children deserve special care in Nigeria not mere celebration. Their situation is very precarious. According to UNICEF, an estimated 2 million children in Nigeria suffer from acute malnutrition (SAM), ranking Nigeria the second globally. Our children are dying as result of poor health facilities, which is the reason behind increase of child mortality in the nation.
Our primary and secondary schools are already dilapidated, children study under the shed of tries. This problem, coupled with unqualified teachers, results to unproductive graduates in Nigeria. Similarly, access to quality education has been a great challenge for Nigeria which if not tackled urgently could lead to serious crisis in the country; quality education brings about sound changes and zero crime to a society.
However, the fact that children are kidnapped in schools means there is nothing worthy of celebration in Nigeria. The number of kidnapped children right from Chibok, Dapchi, Kankara and Kagara is countless and to date some of the children have not regained their freedom.
The number of out-of-school children is alarming; the issue of street begging, child labour, hawking, rape, child abuse, government policy summersault on children’s affairs are deplorable. Children need to be given utmost care to achieve their dreams of being tomorrow’s leaders.
Rather than spend huge money on celebration, government should use the money to rebuild the dilapidated schools, provide furniture, employ qualified teachers as well as sponsore some them to study abroad. What I am emphasising at this juncture is providing a good background for our children means in terms of achieving a better Nigeria and this can only be done by providing them with the enabling environment.
Therefore, it’s better if we can wake up from the deep slumber and formulate policies and strategies that can develop our wards instead of the meaningless celebration as they need is to actualise their dream of becoming leaders of today and ambassadors of tomorrow.
Maina Fati Dunya,
Department of Mass Communication,
University of Maiduguri
