Children Task Tinubu, Governors On Security, Education, Power

Nigerian students have set an agenda-setting process for the incoming administration, urging the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to ensure adequate security, quality, and inclusive education.

Also in the list of expectations, they tabled before the next government are constant power supply and strategies that would curb hunger and make Nigeria a better place in his policies.

The majority of Nigerian children, some living on the streets, are faced with the problems of deprivation, drug abuse, human trafficking, rape, violence poverty, and many other social vices.

A cross-section of students who spoke with newsmen nationwide appealed to Tinubu to tackle insecurity, especially in schools, and create an enabling environment for displaced students to return to school.

The schoolchildren lamented that most of them now study in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, causing them psychological trauma because of the fear of the unknown.

The students who spoke about their expectations from the incoming government as part of activities to commemorate this year’s Children’s Day celebrations also charged Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, re-engineer Nigeria, particularly in the area of hunger, which they said seriously biting across the country.

Seeking protection for children and a better society, they also implored the federal government to sustain the national school feeding program to enhance basic education and agricultural development.

In Abuja, some school children who spoke with our correspondent appealed to the administration to address the rising cases of kidnapping of school children and keep them safe as future leaders of Nigeria.

A student of Kasarachi of GSS Garki, Abuja,  Elem Joyclare congratulated the president-elect, Tinubu, urging him to look into insecurity, bribery, corruption, and the number of out-of-school children everywhere in the country.

“He should create the awareness or initiative to help enlighten the people so that Nigeria can become a better place,” she said.

For Wilson Miracle, a student of Christ Academy International, the security of lives and property should be prioritized

“I want them to put proper security in place. Let there be street light because in some places where there are no street light people can’t see their way home and crimes like arm robbery may occur

“I also want them to put security in charge of different places and locations so that Nigeria will be a better nation.

In Kaduna, a cross-section of primary and secondary school students who spoke on their expectations from the incoming administration had similar expectations.

While those in primary schools desire the incoming administration to give priority to education, establishment of recreational facilities in strategic locations in town and, where possible, in their schools alongside provision of free learning materials, those in secondary schools want fees reduced, learning materials provided for free and adequate security provided in schools to prevent issues of kidnapping among.

Samuel Majiyebo, a seven-year-old primary two pupil at a private school, said, “I want government to provide swings and plenty of toys in my school for us to play with during our break time. I also want the government to provide crayons, colours and drawing books and other books for free for us to use in our school” he said.

On her part, Maimuna Alkali, an eight-year-old public school pupil in primary four who could hardly express herself in English, simply said, “We want the government to continue with the feeding program and give us exercise books and pencils including school uniforms”.

Those in secondary schools tasked the government to provide security in both private and public schools, just as they demanded provision of learning materials, payment of NECO and WAEC fees and making education tablets available and for free to all.

Esther Gabriel in Junior Secondary School (JSS) 2 said she was expecting the next administration to provide more security in schools.

“We get worried every now and then when we hear news of kidnapping of students from their schools, particularly those in boarding schools. Government should also help reduce our school fees because the hardship makes it very difficult most times for our parents. The government should also help us with more learning materials,” she said.

For Aliyu Suleiman, an SS 3 student in a public school, the next administration should see to it that the current hardship affecting education is addressed holistically

“People are suffering. We pray that the next government will make things better for everybody, including us, the students,” he said.

In Rivers, primary and secondary schools students called on the incoming administration to improve on the education sector and reduce the prices of food items in the market.

They also said they expect the incoming government to reduce the cost of transportation, expressing believe that it will impact positively on the poor masses.

In Port Harcourt, a student of Sure Foundation Group of Schools, Diobu, Port Harcourt, Isioma Wogu, said, “My expectation from the incoming administration is the improvement of the education system.

“Schools should be well-equipped to enable students to practice what they are taught in the classes. Government should organise regular seminars and workshops for teachers who will in turn impact such knowledge on students.”

On his part, a senior student of Community Secondary School, Borokiri, Port Harcourt, Tutumeni Micah, said, “I expect the new government to reduce the cost of transportation. If they can reduce the cost of transportation, it will go a long way to help our poor parents.”

Also, students from different schools in Lagos tasked the incoming government to make education a priority in the country and states.

One of the students, Praise Adeyemi, asked the president-elect, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, to improve standard of living in the country.

The Faith Academy SS1 student said since society does not give the girl child much say, the incoming government should help give a voice to the empowerment of the girl child.

She added that the Tinubu administration should have more females in the cabinet by improving female participation and involvement in politics.

This, she said, would help mprove the living standard in the country.

“I want a change in the improvement of life and the fate of girl children. When properties are shared in some tribes, most females do not have right to property; this should change, and I want the new president and his wife to help champion that.

“I also want to see more women as ministers and in government positions. This will make more women to participate in politics and this will yield fruits to national economy, as women can be better managers,” says Miss Adeyemi

Arica Okumbor from Daffodils International School urged the incoming government to make the children happy on Children’s Day and provide electricity.

The eight-year-old asked the new government to provide security to avoid attacks on people in their homes.

Okumbor said, “I want the Tinubu government to make us happy by going to places to have fun. We want (constant) electricity and security for everybody. I want the government to provide good homes and an environment for us so we can have parks to play with our friends. I want the government to create more schools.”

Kehinde Adedayo, an SS3 Student of Ketu Grammar School in Lagos, beckoned on the incoming government to make basic education more affordable to everyone at the grassroots.

Adedayo urged both the state and federal government to support students who have poor parents in areas of scholarship grants.

He said this will encourage secondary students to have courage to further their education and add value to the development of the nation.

He added that the incoming government should provide security for families everywhere in the country and create a better environment for business to thrive.

“One thing I want the new government to do for us and make us happy is to provide scholarship schemes for poor students. It is not easy for me to excel in my exams without textbooks and peace of mind.

“I want the government to invest in Education and security of the country so that we’ll be at peace and be able to travel from place to place. I pray for the Tinubu government to succeed and also for the Sanwo-Olu government in Jesus name,” Adedayo stated.

Also, Isioma Okafor advised the new government to look into the plight of young girls across the country and protect them from evil.

Okafor urged the Tinubu led-government to provide adequate security for all schools nationwide and also get back all the kidnapped girls in captivity, including Leah Sharibu who is still in the custody of terrorists.

“One thing I am asking the new government to do is to protect girls more, as we are easily attacked by intruders. We don’t want to hear about school children being kidnapped again.

“All those that are still in the hands of Boko Haram should be rescued in the first three months of the new government.

“We want peace in the houses, cities and villages. Another thing I desire is for the government to provide constant electricity. This will help everyone and myself to read my books. Let there be light and security,” she said.

Onyeka Emma Ozozie, a primary school student, said he wants the president to make the roads motorable.

“Please the government should help us to provide good roads in the country,” Onyeka said.

On his part, a secondary school student, Adeyemi David, urged the president-elect to improve the educational standard of the country, noting that presently there are no modern facilities and teaching aids in public schools and most private schools.