ENUGU – Children parliamentarians in Enugu State have called for improved security in primary and secondary schools in the state.
The Speaker of the parliament, Miss Winifred Maduko, made the appeal in Enugu on Monday in an event to mark the Day of the African Child tagged `A Child: Friendly, Free, Quality and Compulsory Education for All Children in Africa’.
Maduko said that improved security in schools was necessary because of the current security challenges in the country.
“I think there should be more security in schools so that children can go to school because if we do not get educated, there is no way we can live up to our responsibilities as future leaders of this country.
“We are expected to be secured in order to go to school.
“We are also joining other children in crying for the release of our Chibok sisters kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents.
“One of those girls might be the saviour that Nigeria is longing for. Let us all join the government in the fight for a peaceful Nigeria.
“We should not leave it for the government alone. It is the responsibility of all, including the children,’’ she said.
Speaking on behalf of the Young African Stars, Nigeria, Miss Amanda Onunze urged the state government to extend its free education policies to senior secondary schools.
Onunze said it would encourage more children to benefit from the quality education provided by the present administration.
Master Ugochukwu Nnaji-Ezeoku, a parliamentarian, appealed to the government to create a platform where children affected by insecurity could receive both moral and financial support for their educational pursuit.
“The governments should create more awareness on national integrity and consciousness.
“They should also improve their partnership with foreign countries to fight insecurity,’’ Nnaji-Ezeoku said.
In a message to the event, Gov. Sullivan Chime of Enugu State pledged his commitment to the protection and security of every child in the state.
Chime, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Chris Okoro, called for the release of the school children kidnapped in Chibok, Borno on April 14. (NAN)
