Ime Akpan
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate Children’s
Day today, the senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki has committed Miss Leah
Sharibu and other children held in captivity by the Boko Haram insurgents to
prayer and called for their release.
It would be recalled that Sharibu was among the 110 students of Government Girls’ Science and Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, Yobe State abducted by Boko Haram terrorists on February 19, 2018.
One hundred and five of the girls regained freedom on March 21, 2018 through a series of what the federal government described as ‘behind-the-scene discussion’ while five were said to have died on the day of captivity and were given a mass burial.
But 16-year-old Sharibu (she was 15 at the time of abduction), the only Christian girl among the hostages, was denied her freedom because she refused to convert as a precondition.
Saraki, in a message to mark the 2019 Children’s Day issued in by his spokesman, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu on Monday in Abuja congratulated Nigerian children and urged leaders at all levels to dedicate themselves to the continuous empowerment of the Nigerian child.
“Today, our nation celebrates its future—our children; our most important national treasure.
“As we do so, we recommit ourselves to ensuring that all Nigerian children are empowered to aspire to achieve greatness.
“On this Children’s Day 2019, we remember Leah Sharibu, and all other young Nigerian children who will be commemorating this symbolic day without their loved ones. We commit them into our prayers, and continue to call for their unequivocal release,” he said.
He also stated that the eighth national assembly worked assiduously to provide for primary healthcare fund in the budget as well as ensuring that the Child’s Rights Act is domesticated across the states of the federation.
“Over the last four years, the 8th national assembly has worked fervently towards ensuring the provision of basic primary healthcare and the domestication of the Childs Rights Act in all Nigerian states — so that young Nigerian Children can live healthy, violence-free lives.
“Today, we say to all Nigerian Children: “We stand with you. We are one!” Happy Children’s Day 2019,” he added.
Similarly, the senator-elect for Abia north senatorial district and former governor of Abia State, Mr. Orji Uzor Kalu called on parents and guardians to instill good moral values in their children and wards.
Kalu who stated this in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Kunle Oyewumi said that the family, being the smallest unit of the society, should uphold good ethical behaviour for the sake of building a decent society.
Kalu, who also admonished the younger generation to demonstrate good moral in their pursuits, urged policy makers to formulate policies that would mitigate social vices among the youth.
“I join parents, children and other stakeholders in celebrating the 2019 Children’s Day.
“It is a day set aside to acknowledge, appreciate and celebrate children.
“Government must initiate and execute policies and programmes that will help to identify and develop the full potential of children.
“Children of today are the leaders of tomorrow and as such we must bring them up properly with the right skills, attitude and mindset to prepare them for future challenges.
“The rights of a child must be respected and duly protected.
“Children deserve quality life anchored on sound education, proper mentorship and counselling, quality healthcare, freedom of movement, freedom of discrimination, among others.
“If we don’t instill good moral conduct in our children and wards, we cannot build a good society.
“Nigerians must appreciate children and support them in their pursuits for us to build a prosperous nation,” Kalu said.
Besides, Kalu urged governments at all levels to enact child friendly laws that would guarantee the rights of children.
He called for stringent penalties for perpetrators of child trafficking, child abuse and other vices.
He expressed worry that many innocent children had been abused emotionally and physically.
