THE NIGERIAN CHILD

Nigeria is a country full of both natural and human potentials. Our history is mixed with joy and tears.

Our history should not discourage us, but it should strengthen us and cause us to believe that there is hope for our Nation. Nigeria's history of how they treat their children could be so painful and heartbreaking. Nigerian children are abused in their own country and by their own people. Indeed, it is a history of tears!

Those children who were abused are now adults, and they are now our leaders in different capacities.

But they are leading with pain and hurt, these men and women are in the prison of their past. Some

have found the path to healing and some haven't. Those leaders who have not found their path to

healing always want to use their citizens to ease their pain. This gives way to selfishness and hence

selfish leaders who always focus on themselves instead of focusing on the people they are leading. Trust

me, it is not their fault rather they were wounded, they were abused. How can a wounded man help

another wounded? Rather he or she will want to focus on his or her pain.

These are the terrible consequences of child abuse. Sometimes they are not obvious until the children

become adults. Some of these consequences are unproductivity, unforgiveness, anger, selfishness, drug

addictions, suicide, etc. Are these not some of the challenges found in our Nation today?

We hope for a bright future, we hope for a greater Nigeria, we believe that our Nation will be better. We

believe that what troubled us yesterday will not trouble us tomorrow. Science and technology are on

the increase, inventors and creative people are on the increase. Did we think of the consequences of

handing over this great opportunity of invention of new technology and creativity to a generation

abused by people who are supposed to protect them?

To build a greater Nigeria, we must ensure our children are protected from any form of abuse.

"It is

better to build a child than to mend broken adults." A healthy Nigerian child is equal to a healthy

Nigeria.

Moses Albert

Chief Responsibility Officer, Icare Africa Initiative