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By John Azu
A leading presidential aspirant of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called for deep reflection on the future of the boy child in Nigeria given numerous challenges such as insecurity and eduation.
In a post on his X handle to mark this year’s International Day of the Boy Child on Saturday, May 16, Obi pointed out that the boy child in Nigeria is grappling with severe insecurity, large-scale abductions, hunger, and insufficient investment in healthcare and education, all of which threaten the lives and prospects of our children.
Obi quoted Nelson Mandela’s observation: “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children,” and that of Frederick Douglass that, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”
He therefore asserted that “We must put an end to the neglect and mistreatment of our boys and start securing their lives and investing in their futures for the sake of our shared national destiny.”
Elaborating, he said “Yesterday, the world celebrated the International Day of the Boy Child. For me, it served as a moment for deep reflection on the future of our boys in a country that grapples with severe insecurity, large-scale abductions, hunger, and insufficient investment in healthcare and education, all of which threaten the lives and prospects of our children.
“It is widely accepted that children are the leaders of tomorrow, and rightly so. Yet, how can we expect them to lead effectively if we do not protect their lives and futures today? Our boys are confronted with severe hunger and malnutrition, a deficiency of basic education and primary healthcare, worsening insecurity and mass abductions, and rising social moral decay—facing numerous challenges from the time they are born.
“For the boy child to grow into a responsible and productive adult, it is crucial to provide him with a solid foundational education, equip him with useful skills, and mentor him with progressive values that contribute to a better society.”
While reiterating his position that the society we harm today will ultimately hold us accountable tomorrow, Obi addressed the boy child directly to hold on to their dreams.
“To all the boys out there: hold on to your dreams. We are working towards creating a nation that not only safeguards your lives and invests in your futures but also nurtures your growth and inspires your ambitions, enabling you to seize global opportunities that align with your talents and aspirations.
“A New Nigeria is Possible!”