August 10, (THEWILL) – Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has said education remains the only means of addressing societal issues and assuring the future of children.
Reacting to a viral video of a child rights activist, Ibrahim Zannah Sunoma, the former Vice President, in a statement on Saturday, said every child should have access to education regardless of family background.
In the video posted by Professor Chidi Odinkalu, former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Ibrahim said banditry activities leading to the destruction of schools, killing of teachers and death of children’s parents are affecting the rights of children to access education.
“If we see every child as our own child, then we will not be here today because no parent, no leader, no government will want his child in a condition that no horror movie can explain.
“Education is the only tool with which the child of a peasant farmer can become the celebrated icon of tomorrow and the challenges are very severe.
“Our schools are destroyed, our teachers killed, our parents murdered, our schools burnt down, we are kidnapped. Even just looking at the physical destruction itself, it is more than that; it’s psychological. It is something that will make you think that the future does not exist for you because education is the future.
“Children who lack access to education are lacking access to many rights because it is the mother of child rights for children. The resources that children need are those destroyed,” he said.
Atiku wrote, “I cannot agree more with Ibrahim. Education is the game changer. Without education, we will not all be here. Let’s help our children to share the sunshine, too.”
He said the government and all stakeholders owe it a duty to help children achieve their destiny by providing access to education for all children.
