Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has said education remains the only means of addressing societal issues and assuring the future of children.
Atiku Abubakar said without education, he would not have achieved what he has achieved in life. He said every child should have access to education regardless of family background.
The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate stated this on Saturday while reacting to a viral video of a child rights activist, Ibrahim Zannah Sunoma.
Atiku said the government and all stakeholders owe it a duty to help children achieve their destiny by providing access to education for all children.
In the video, posted by former chairman of Nationa Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Professor Chidi Odinkalu, 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.
Ibrahim said education is the mother of all child rights and the only way for the child of a peasant farmer to become a celebrated icon.
“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 mothered, 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 is the mother of child rights for children. The resources that children need are those destroyed,” he said.
In reaction, Atiku wrote on his X handle, “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.“
