Killing education in the North

THE poet, Odia Ofeimun did not lie when he said in his poem, Need to Scream, “my will to survival trickles of irremediable days of unawakened sun”.

This statement defines the situation of Nigerian students, most especially students in northen Nigeria. How can a child’s hope of achieving his or her dreams to become a useful member of the society be disrupted or brought to abrupt end because of insecurity?

Few days ago, more than 300 students were kidnapped in a secondary school in Zamfara State. How could a troop of bandits raid a government school and make away with that number of students? 

I recall that a similar unlawful act occurred previously in 2014; where over 200 girls were abducted from a state school in Chibok, Borno State. 

Although students kidnap has occurred a number of times in other states, it is has become rampant in the north. This ought to be questioned.
Why is the north their centre of abduction?What is their motive for the kidnap?Why is their focus mainly on students?A lot of questions needs to be asked.

Till now, the government is yet to come up with a tangible rescue plan. If care is not taken, this recent abduction may end up like the case of the Chibok girls; some were rescued while others were not found,  even till now.

Strange enough, the Zamfara State caucus in the National Assembly pleaded with the government to give amnesty to repentant bandits! These so-called “repentant bandits” are still holding the girls hostage. 

What an irony.

One funny truth about the government is that; once something like this happens, closed door meetings would be held and at the end, it would yield little or no result.
Knowing that the northerners are not safe because of these bandits  and boko haram sect members lurking around, what stopped the government from providing tight security in all state schools in the north?

There’s a  quote that says “where your treasure is, is where your heart is”

In my own opinion, I would say that the people in government are carefree about anything that concerns education sector in this country because their children are in other countries enjoying quality education and security.

I hope that help would reach these innocent girls as soon as possible before the trauma of this incidence get the better part of them. Also, the pains their family members are going through knowing that their child(ren) is hostaged by wild men will be excruciating, thus, anything that needs to be done should be done to set these girls free.

Labyrinth of crippled dreams!A basin of failed promise!A moon unlit and thirsty!Labyrinth of subdued hope…I plead a dirge for a fountain that won’t weep.-Kayode Aderinokun