Former presidential candidate and Labour Party chieftain, Peter Obi, has expressed concern over the continued abduction of schoolchildren in Nigeria, saying Children’s Day celebrations cannot truly be meaningful while many children remain in captivity.
Obi said the annual celebration, which should be marked by joy, hope, and reflection on the future of Nigerian children, is overshadowed by the pain and anxiety faced by families whose children are still missing after being kidnapped from schools across the country.
According to him, the persistent insecurity affecting schools raises serious concerns about the safety of children and the government’s ability to protect educational institutions.
The former Anambra State governor described it as heartbreaking that many parents are still waiting for the safe return of their abducted children.
He noted that Children’s Day, which ought to symbolize national commitment to child welfare and development, has instead become a reminder of Nigeria’s unresolved security challenges.
Obi also warned that repeated attacks on schools are causing emotional and psychological trauma for victims, their families, and society at large.
He called on the Federal Government and security agencies to take urgent and decisive action to secure schools and ensure that children can pursue education without fear of abduction or violence.
According to him, protecting children should be treated as a national emergency, stressing that attacks on schools continue to weaken public confidence in the education system.
Obi further stated that no nation can achieve meaningful development if its children are unsafe in their learning environments.
He warned that growing insecurity around schools could discourage attendance, increase dropout rates, and negatively impact Nigeria’s future human capital development.
The Labour Party figure also noted that fear of kidnapping is gradually eroding trust in education, especially in rural and high-risk communities where many parents are becoming reluctant to send their children to school.
He urged government officials, security agencies, and community leaders to work together in developing stronger preventive measures to safeguard schools and protect children across the country.
Obi concluded that Children’s Day should be a celebration of hope and promise, not a moment of sorrow and fear, adding that Nigeria must do more to secure a better future for its children.
