There is no gain-saying the fact that children are
the sum of what parents and society contribute to their lives. This is because
every child comes from a family and society which in effect influences and
determines to a great extent what children become in future.
If society or
family inculcates peace in them, they will live and act peacefully and if on the other hand violence is
inculcated in them, they will live and act violently. This is a settled fact
for every child.
Furthermore
this fact can be better appreciated by looking at how a child learns as
outlined by Dorothy Noite. For her, if a child live with criticism, he learns
how to condemn. If a child lives with hostility he learns to fight and hate. If
a child lives with security he learns to have faith. The implication here is
that children are being shaped by family and societal values and traditions.
From the above assertion, if a child learns violently, if he learns war he will
wager war. Violence according to the World Health Organization (W.H.O) is
defined as the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or acted
against oneself, another person or community that either result in injury,
death, psychological harm, or deprivation. Furthermore most of our children are
also victims of domestic violence, bullying, sexual harassment, child labour,
early marriage, child trafficking, prostitution, ill treatment, starvation and
lack of qualitative education. The effect of such abuses are many and varied
including teenage pregnancies, illiteracy and so on. Apparently, our children
with this situation in mind have nothing positive to imbibe rather than a
culture of violence. The future of the great children of this nation NIGERIAN
looks bleak and uncertain when one considers the psychological trauma most of
them go through.
A case of point is that of a girl named chinelo who
was raped and beaten at a birthday party by a friend. He threatened to kill her
if she reported the attack to her family or the police. Chinelo has not
reported her rape case except to a couple of close friends. She had recurring
nightmares and she dropped out of school because she can no longer concentrate.
Chinelo’s case no doubt is one out of million cases experienced by many
Nigerian children especially girls. Our children are made to pay for what they
know little or nothing about. Taking into account the deplorable state of the
children in Nigeria who will save all the innocent and defenseless children
that have become victims of circumstances? Who will assure them of the violence
that beset them? Nevertheless since our hope is built on God as he has assured
us in the scripture (Bible) that he will not leave us as orphans, we have the
hope that the future of our children is secured.
For
the sake of the Nigeria child; what have we done or are doing for the sake of
the cataclysmic environment, senseless murder, kidnapping, arm robbery and
other forms of insecurities and violence in our country especially during this
year of mercy. We should give room for our children to believe and have faith
in us; we should try and give them hope because they are the future generation and
potential flag bearers of our Nation. As such they need a friendly and peaceful
environment to grow.
Finally
we should know as a country that the destiny of our country is in our hands.
This future of the precious jewel- the Nigeria child should be guaranteed to be
bright and fair.
Stay Blessed… Long live our country Nigeria!!!
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