By: Sunday Ameh
The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) Nigeria has called for the suspension of ceremonial activities marking this year’s International Children’s Day, insisting that the occasion should instead serve as a day of remembrance and reflection over the worsening insecurity and violence affecting children across the country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, the civil society organisation described the rising cases of kidnappings, banditry, child trafficking and attacks on children as a national emergency requiring urgent attention.
FENRAD said the security situation facing Nigerian children reflects what it termed leadership failure, institutional negligence and the inability of government to fulfil its responsibility of protecting children and guaranteeing their welfare.
The organisation expressed concern over increasing reports of child abductions and disappearances in states including Borno, Yobe and Oyo, noting that many children continue to suffer displacement, captivity, trauma and denial of access to education, healthcare and other social services.
According to the group, it would be insensitive for governments and political leaders to organise celebrations while many Nigerian children remain trapped in forests, criminal hideouts, internally displaced persons camps and communities plagued by insecurity.
FENRAD maintained that International Children’s Day should not become an event dominated by fanfare and political speeches but should instead serve as a moment for national introspection.
It stated that the day should draw attention to the challenges confronting children, including insecurity, poor governance, corruption, institutional failures and weak social support systems.
The organisation also condemned what it described as the inability of security agencies and government institutions to adequately protect schools and vulnerable communities from attacks by terrorists, kidnappers, traffickers and criminal groups.
FENRAD further lamented the growing humanitarian challenges affecting children nationwide, including increasing numbers of out-of-school children, malnutrition, displacement, child labour, exploitation and psychological trauma linked to insecurity and economic hardship.
“A nation that cannot guarantee the safety, dignity and future of its children has failed in its most sacred responsibility,” the group stated.
The organisation called on the Federal Government, state governments and security agencies to intensify efforts toward rescuing abducted children and strengthening security around schools and vulnerable communities.
It also urged authorities to launch transparent investigations into incidents of child abduction and trafficking and increase investment in child welfare, education, healthcare and social protection programmes.
FENRAD further advocated the declaration of a national day of remembrance for victims of child abduction, terrorism, trafficking and violence.
The organisation called on civil society groups, religious institutions, traditional leaders and development partners to sustain pressure for accountability and stronger protection for Nigerian children.
It added that leadership should be measured by the ability to protect lives and secure the future of the next generation rather than by ceremonial appearances and political optics.
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