Can Nigeria be a role model for those below 50?

A country at 50 should be able to boast of a conducive environment for the survival of its citizens, it should be able to boast of good governance, of well-equipped hospitals, of good schools with serene and conducive environment for learning, constant power supply, good roads and other infrastructure. How many of these can our […]

A country at 50 should be able to boast of a conducive environment for the survival of its citizens, it should be able to boast of good governance, of well-equipped hospitals, of good schools with serene and conducive environment for learning, constant power supply, good roads and other infrastructure. How many of these can our beloved nation boast of?

The rate at which children die from all forms of diseases is alarmingly increasing. Our hospitals, roads, even schools do not contribute to ensuring the survival of the Nigerian child. I believe a country at 50 should be able to say that the rights of its children are being protected.

It is sad that for Nigeria, it is a different scenario. Quite a number of states have not even passed the Child’s Rights Bill into law. What could be more important than ensuring the survival of the future? Even those states that have their Child Rights laws, how many of them promote those rights? Only a few states can boldly say that they have created that environment fit for the survival of their future leaders.

What hope of a bright future do we have then? Does the phrase Sustainable Development make sense to us all? Have we as a nation attained the heights a 50-year-old nation should reach? Are we role models for other countries 50 years and younger? Are we as giants taking steps as ants?

This is a moment for sober reflection, an awakening call, a call to action for everyone. As the saying goes,” let us be the change we want to see”. In God we trust.

Esther Afolayan, Senate president, Nigerian children’s Parliament