Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, don fire strong word for President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria political leaders, telling dem make dem no dare issue Children’s Day message while millions of children dey suffer from insecurity, poverty and lack of education.
For statement wey she release on May 27, 2026, Ezekwesili accuse government and political class say dem don fail Nigerian children and no get moral authority to celebrate dem.
“Make una no dare open mouth on May 27 to wish Nigerian children ‘Happy Children’s Day’,” she talk. “Make una no dare stand in front of camera to perform tenderness wey una never extend to millions of Nigerian children wey una don abandon, betray, and condemn to life of suffering.”
Former minister mention series of school abduction and insecurity incidents across the country, including Chibok, Dapchi, Kuriga and Kankara cases, saying many children wey dem affect still dey missing years later.
She also cite recent reports of attacks and kidnappings wey affect schools for Oyo, Kebbi and Niger states, saying the trend show worsening security situation for children.
“Una dey wish ‘Happy Children’s Day’ to Chibok girls, over 90 of dem still dey missing, twelve years after April 14, 2014,” she state. “The reality no be ‘Happy Children’s Day’. The reality be National Day of Shame.”
Ezekwesili further criticize country education and social welfare indicators, pointing to out-of-school children, learning poverty, hunger and child health challenges.
She call on government officials to provide details on children still dey captivity and publish updated data on education and child welfare outcomes.
“If una must dare speak on this May 27, then for once, speak the truth of una failures,” she talk. “Tell us the names and current locations of every single child still dey captivity. Publish the audited figures on out-of-school children, on stunting, on learning poverty, and on child mortality.”
Former minister argue say political leaders should focus on measurable actions to improve child protection, education and welfare rather than ceremonial statements.
“A government wey cannot protect its children don forfeit the right to celebrate dem,” she add.
Addressing Nigerian children directly, Ezekwesili say, “Some of us see una. The Nigeria wey una deserve be country where una dey safe, educated, fed, healed, free to dream and work hard to be the best of anything wey una choose to become.”
