Children’s Day of gloom

Nigeria's 2026 Children's Day was marred by a pervasive sense of gloom, fear, and despair as 88 children remained in captivity.

The day, intended to celebrate and inspire young leaders, was overshadowed by the ongoing ordeal of children abducted on May 15. Boko Haram terrorists seized 42 students from a school in Borno State. In Oyo State, gunmen abducted 46 children and teachers from multiple schools, an operation that resulted in the deaths of two individuals, including a school official and a motorcyclist.

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Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Child

After 13 days in captivity, the abducted children, some as young as two and four years old, were described as trapped in deplorable forest conditions, enduring harsh weather, insects, and the constant threat of violence. The article labels this a "national tragedy of monumental proportions," asserting that the children's plight should be a constant reminder to the government.

The government's response has been characterized as lacking concrete action, with a "heavy on rhetoric and light on action" approach failing to develop a visible strategy for the children's rescue. Grief-stricken families have largely been left to cope alone. The article notes that the terrorists also killed two individuals attempting to deliver ransom. This lethargic response and the senseless killings have hollowed out the theme of the Children's Day celebration, "Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Child," rendering President Bola Tinubu's pledge for children to "dream boldly, grow safely, learn freely, and succeed honourably" painfully distant.

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a nation where every child can dream boldly, grow safely, learn freely, and succeed honourably