A philosopher once said " that the birth of a child signifies GODS desire for the world to continue without end." Children are the strength of the future. The mistakes of the past are to be made perfect in the minds of the children. Children are the torch bearers for a future unknown. To neglect a child or poorly develop a child, is to neglect the future of an economy. To embezzle funds meant for the empowerment of Children is to create a bleak future for the economy.
According to a recent united nations statistics, over 15 million children in Nigeria are victims of child labour, a further population of the children are poorly developed by parents and guardians. This statistics produces an unpalatable situation for our economy.
The quality of care children receive in a society ultimately defines how successful that society will be in years to come. Society cannot abandon its children, the abandoned children will in future harm the society that abandoned them. When children are not properly formed through sound moral etiquettes, and empowering societal values, the negative side of society will influence their minds to act otherwise.
Today, so many children have been converted by terrorists, armed gangs, political thugs, prostitutes, thieves, fraudsters and assassins.
There are many Nigerian kids who are exposed to harmful products. There are children who do not feed properly. There are many children who go to bed hungry, without hope of where food will come from the following day.
If poor services offered to children are allowed to continue, our society will be setting its self up for disaster. This is not a time to keep mute. If society is determined to move forward, developing the minds of children is Paramount. Developing a program for the development of children is inexcusable.
Society and leaders should be upset when a child who should be studying is hawking or engaged into force labour.
There are many Nigerian children who are ill prepared to handle the demands of the future. This is a call to all Nigerians. Our leaders, we need to think, we need to brainstorm. When we get our developmental structures for child care in the country, the rewards will be for society.
This is the time for a reform on children's welfare in Nigeria. State and local government authorities should be focused on improving the standard of empowerment and knowledge children are exposed to. The better exposed children are, the more civilised society becomes.
Let's celebrate the children's day to come by demanding better wellbeing for the Children of Nigeria. GOD bless the Nigerian Child.