By Jessica Dogo
Godspeed Leadership and Mentorship Development Initiative, a non-governmental organisation, has called on the Federal Government and other education stakeholders, to address out-of-school children and improve security in schools.
Mr Habila Kayit, the executive director of the organisation, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, to commemorate Children’s Day.
According to Kayit, insecurity is a threat to the attainment of a better future for the child.
“Schools and communities have been displaced making it impossible for some children to continue pursuing their education in some parts of the country where insecurity is heightened.
“The incessant kidnapping of school children is worrisome and requires urgent attention.
“It is important to have collaborative initiative to ensure the return of every child back to school, most especially in areas where schools have been closed due to the activities of bandits and kidnappers,” he said.
Kayit called on faith-based organisations, community development associations and non-profit organisations, to assist the government in tackling insecurity and out-of-school children.
This, he said, would guarantee a safe and prosperous future for children.
He said that the children’s day celebration was an opportunity to reiterate the importance of creating a better future for the Nigerian child by addressing challenges that could impede their growth and wellbeing.
He called for policies and programmes designed to equip the next generation of leaders.
“These children neglected to fate will grow with no guidance and might be a tool in the hands of mischief makers who might indoctrinate them into all manner of crimes,” he said.
Kayit also said that no child should suffer because of the greed and mismanagement of the country’s resources.
He, therefore, called on security operatives to intensify effort to rid the country of the hands of corrupt leaders.(NAN)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman/Kayode Olaitan
