Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other political leaders against issuing Children’s Day goodwill messages amid rising insecurity and repeated abductions of schoolchildren across Nigeria.
In a lengthy statement shared on her X account on Wednesday, Ezekwesili accused the country’s political class of failing Nigerian children and lacking the moral right to celebrate Children’s Day.
Addressing the President, Vice President, governors, members of the National Assembly, and state lawmakers, the former minister alleged that political leaders had “abandoned, betrayed, and condemned” Nigerian children to hardship and insecurity.
Ezekwesili referenced several cases of school abductions in states including Oyo, Kebbi, Niger, Kaduna, and Sokoto, highlighting the persistent attacks on schools and students across the country.
Ezekwesili also recalled the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, noting that many of the victims remain unaccounted for more than ten years later.
According to her, the repeated incidents of kidnappings and violent attacks on schools reflect leadership failure and the inability of government authorities to adequately protect children.
She further claimed that thousands of students have been affected by school abductions in recent years, while insecurity has forced many schools to shut down.
The former minister argued that Nigerian leaders should prioritise tackling insecurity and safeguarding children rather than issuing ceremonial Children’s Day statements.
Part of her message read: “To the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Vice President, governors, members of the National Assembly, state assemblies, and the political class that has captured and damaged the Nigerian state — do not dare.
“Do not dare use May 27 to issue routine Children’s Day messages or recycled statements prepared by media aides.
“Do not stand before cameras pretending to care for children while millions of Nigerian children continue to suffer neglect, insecurity, and hardship.
“You have no moral standing to wish Nigerian children a Happy Children’s Day.”
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