Tuesday 15 July 2014

That uncelebrated children’s day BY GLORIA ENEH RANKIN

A happy family provides the best environment where children can grow and develop. Such a family is bound by the bond of real love and affection. “Children are the future, the leaders of tomorrow”. This is usually the chorus of our everyday motto. Children deserve to be happy and cherished and May 27th gives them that ample opportunity to feel loved and cherished. 

When country leaders assembled at Geneva in Switzerland to convene the first World Conference Protecting Children in August 1925, it was for the spiritual needs, relief for impoverished children, prevention of child labour, reassessing child education and other issues related to the welfare of children around the world.

Thus, in 1954, the UN proclaimed the first Universal Children’s Day on November 20th. This encouraged other countries to effect a date for the celebration of children world over. In Nigeria, the government made out May 27th for Children’s Day and on this day, Schools allow and witness Children perform and showcase their talents either in a platform organised by the school or other social gatherings. Yet, as the years go by, the lot of the Nigerian child does not seem to improve.

We have come to a time where the need to sit back and take stock of the happenings around us cannot be shoved off. We have come to a point where we need proactive references to keep our leaders, stakeholders NGOs and the government alert of the uncommons amidst us.

Unlike other countries, responses to issues of child abuse in Nigeria are delayed and dragged with sagacity. Despite the free education we profess to give out, millions of children walk farther away from education into ignorance. Thousands die daily from parental neglect, many roam the streets in search of comfort and others live daily with the scourges of hunger, abuse, deprivation, exploitation, dehumanisation, etc. A lot of children even hawk the streets on the said day dedicated to Children.

Our nation should reflect on the present situation of things and think of working in cooperation to quell this prevalent norm. Our girls have been long gone to nowhere and the responsibility of thinking solutions should not be on the president alone. No amount of politicking, arranged protest marches or accusing fingers on the President would bring them back.

We should arise and take bold steps towards rebuilding our dear nation. Let us rise and build a better Nigeria for our future leaders.

At this crucial moment of national re-birth, we should awake and have a rethink on the present unpalatable situation in our society. We need to re-create a better society for the children we claim to be tomorrow’s leaders.

Our children need to be oriented with morals and attitude that would help prepare them for their future responsibilities. The spate of unemployment amongst the youths which has given birth to the number of heinous crime committed in the society today should be a tool for which the government can employ in the New Nigeria Initiative. Parents should also refrain from exposing their wards to economic and social stress which often leads to neglect, poor supervision and inconsistent, erratic discipline.

The Agencies set-up to eradicate poverty and child abuse have not tried either. We still listen to and read of stories of Child-abuse every day.

Less privileged communities with deplorable living conditions and environment should also be kept under surveillance. These communities are prone to having high rate of crime indulgences due to their social and economical disadvantages. They should also be provided with basic amenities.

Our leaders should showcase good example which our children can emulate. It is sad that most of them are not accountable for their works. They live in the illusion that wealth is the answer to everything.  A country in which a person is earning up to a million naira amidst a number of children dying daily of hunger, sleeping in overhead bridges, living in abandoned vehicles, begging on the streets and fighting for ends-meet does not speak well of the economy. 

Every Nigerian should rise and fight this corruption which has eaten deep into the fabrics of our country. Our children have timelessly been kidnapped for selfish aims, forced into Boko-Haramism, militantancy and other illegal activities because the government of the day has failed us. Our religious leaders do no longer preach righteousness but prosperity. Our talents are being snapped out of the bud. This, we must fight.

The ruins, properties and valuables that have gone up in the smoke, leaves a sour taste in our mouths. We must leave out sentiments to confront the Boko-Haram scourge. Let’s bring back our girls!

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