Education
SOME Education stakeholders in Delta have called on Nigerians to move beyond celebration and take urgent action for children in the hands of abductors.
The stakeholders said this on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba, in commemoration of the International Children’s Day celebration.
NAN reports that Children’s Day is celebrated worldwide on May 27, with the 2026 theme as: “Child Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child.”
According to them, the attacks on schools and educational communities amount to a direct assault on the future of the nation.
Mr Okechukwu Onu, a lecturer with the Delta State University, Abraka, said that children and teachers should not be victims of criminal activities.
“Today should be marked with prayer, sacrifice, fasting, weeping and concrete action for vulnerable children in the country.
“So many Nigerian children could not celebrate due to violence, exploitation, neglect and unfortunate state that they found themselves in,” he said.
Mrs Rebecca Okotcha, the Proprietress of African Elite International School, Asaba said the situation in the country called for immediate response from all sectors of the society.
Okotcha prayed for protection and release of all abducted children and their teachers.
Mr Ifeanyi Nweke, a lecturer with the University of Delta, Agbor, urged government at all levels to strengthen security and create safe spaces for every citizen and every child to learn and grow.
He urged parents to remain vigilant and prioritise the safety and welfare of their children at home and in schools.
“I am saddened over the loss of lives recorded in the Oyo State children/teachers abduction incident, including an Assistant Headmaster, Mr Joel Adesiyan, and a commercial motorcyclist.
“It is also heartbreaking that one of the abducted teachers, Mr Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed in captivity.
He, therefore, urged security agencies to intensify rescue operations for victims still in captivity and bring perpetrators of the attack to justice.
Mrs Ogugua Aguimoh, a lecturer with the Admiralty University of Nigeria (ADUN) urged stakeholders, civil society, and communities to collaborate on policies that promote inclusion and protect children’s rights.
She said that Nigeria’s future depended on how it treated its most vulnerable children.
“Nigerians should support security agencies with credible information, because the fight against kidnapping requires collective responsibility and national unity.
NAN recalls that gunmen on May 15, invaded schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The unknown gunmen attacked the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, LA School Esinele and Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele where an assistant Head teacher and a commercial motorcyclist were killed.(NAN)
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Tags: Children in captivity