Obi decries insecurity, neglect of boy child

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has raised concerns over the welfare of the boy child in Nigeria, citing insecurity, poverty, and poor investment in education and healthcare as major threats to their future.

Obi made the remarks in a post shared on his X handle on Sunday to mark the International Day of the Boy Child.

Quoting former South African President, late Nelson Mandela, he wrote: “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”

He said the day offered an opportunity for “sober reflection” on the future of the boy child in Nigeria.

“Yesterday, the global community marked the International Day of the Boy Child. For me, it was a day of sober reflection on the future of the boy child in a nation like ours, where the horrible spate of insecurity, mass abductions, hunger, and inadequate investment in health and education constantly jeopardise the lives and futures of our children,” he wrote.

The former Anambra governor noted that while children are often regarded as tomorrow’s leaders, their future could not be guaranteed without adequate protection and investment in their well-being.

“It is generally believed that our children are the leaders of tomorrow, and rightly so. However, one wonders how our children will lead society tomorrow if we fail to secure their lives and future today.

“For him to become a responsible and productive member of society, the boy child must be given a sound basic education, empowered with productive skills, and mentored with the right progressive values that help build a better society,” he added.

Citing Frederick Douglass, Obi wrote: “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”

He urged greater investment in children and warned against neglecting their development.

“We must stop the neglect and abuse we unleash on our boy children and begin to secure their lives and invest in their future for the sake of our collective future as a nation.

“As I have always maintained, the society we abuse today will take its revenge on us tomorrow,” he said.

Obi also encouraged boys not to lose hope.

“And to every boy child out there: do not give up on your dreams. We are on a journey toward building a nation that not only secures your life and invests in your future but also helps you grow and fuels your dreams so that you can embrace global opportunities that match your talents and aspirations,” he wrote.

International Day of the Boy Child is celebrated annually on May 16.

It aims to raise emotionally intelligent, confident, and responsible boys without taking away from the focus on girls’ rights.