On the occasion of Children’s Day, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians, especially leaders, to prioritise the welfare and future of the country’s children, whom he described as “the heartbeat of our nation and the bearer of our collective hopes and dreams.”
In a statement released on Tuesday, Obi emphasised the need for urgent attention to the challenges faced by Nigerian children.
“Days like this offer us the opportunity to appreciate the immense potential of our children, who represent the hope of a brighter tomorrow in our nation if only we care for them today,” he said.
According to Obi, Nigerian children deserve “a nation that prioritises their well-being, education, safety, and future.”
Highlighting the demographic significance of children in Nigeria, Obi cited a 2023 UNICEF report estimating that over 110 million people under the age of 18 live in the country, representing a large proportion of Nigeria’s population.
“Such high numbers of young people in Nigeria should challenge us, as leaders, to commit wholeheartedly to investing in the future of the children. Their future is the future of the nation,” he stated.
Despite their potential, Obi pointed out that many Nigerian children face harsh realities from birth.
“Nigeria today is among the nations with the highest infant mortality rates in the world,” he said.
He also referenced a 2024 UNICEF report revealing that around 11 million Nigerian children suffer from severe food poverty, with one in four children under five stunted due to malnutrition, especially in rural and remote areas.
The former vice presidential candidate also drew attention to the education crisis in the country, where over 18 million children are currently out of school – “among the highest in the world.”
Obi described this as “a deep national wound,” stressing that “each out-of-school child represents a dream deferred, a future endangered, and a country that is failing to uphold its most sacred responsibility.”
He lamented that while many children learn on the streets, schools remain underfunded, unsafe, or inaccessible.
Obi further criticised the state of healthcare for children, stating that “primary healthcare that should cater to the basic healthcare needs of our children is practically non-existent.”
Obi also raised concerns about insecurity affecting children.
“Violence, kidnapping, and abuse have forced thousands of children to flee their homes, live in fear, or grow up in regions where dreams are stifled by conflict,” he said.
Quoting a 2022 report from the National Bureau of Statistics, Obi said 46.5% of children aged 5-14 were engaged in child labour, describing this as “heartbreaking to see the future of our children jeopardised when they should be nurtured.”
Despite the many challenges, Obi acknowledged the resilience and talent of Nigerian children, urging Nigerians to support and encourage them.
“Their dreams are valid and we must invest in their future, our future!” he declared.
Obi reaffirmed his commitment and promised to work toward a Nigeria “where every Nigerian child can feel secure, grow in peace, enjoy good access to education and health and have the enabling environment to pursue their dreams and contribute productively to societal development.”
He emphasised the importance of building “a nation where no child is left behind and where the child of a nobody can become somebody through hard work and productivity.”
“We will continue to fight for a Nigeria where you can dream freely, learn safely, and rise boldly. That is the country we must build, and we owe you nothing less,” Obi added.
PUNCH
