Some Pupils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have urged President Bola Tinubu to prioritise education, healthcare of the Nigerian children in order to guarantee their future.
The Pupils who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja as they resumed from the Children Day’s break, also appealed to state governors to give education and healthcare priority attention.
In separate interviews with NAN, the pupils said accessible quality education and healthcare delivery are key to the development of a Nigerian child.
They also urged the federal and state governments to see them as the future of a great Nigeria.
Alicia Adewumi, a nine-year old pupil of a public school in Dakwa, Bwari Area Council of FCT, said primary education should be made free while one meal should be served to pupils in school.
Asked whether her school has ever benefited from free meal programme of any government, the primary five pupil answered in the negative.
Adewumi expressed concerns and unhappiness over many children of her age, hawking and some begging on the streets during and after school hours.
“I am not happy when I see these children of my age walking in group around our area with plates on their hands begging people for money and food.
“I always see them, particularly at Dei-Dei junction. One day I asked my father why they dressed in dirty clothes and begging on traffic.I also asked if they don’t have homes and parents, but my father just told me they are Almajiri.
“I think the government should do something to take them out of the streets,” she said.
On the children day celebration, she said though, her parent did not take her out for ice cream as she expected, but the holiday gave her the opportunity to relax, refresh her mind and play with her friends around the house.
Another pupil, 11 year-old Nmesoma Jonah said government should provide free reading books and other reading aids for pupils.
She said it is difficult for her parents to provide her with books and most times, she has to borrow from her colleagues to do her home work.
Jonah who said she would like to be a Medical Doctor when she grew up, said she was fascinated with the profession because of the care she got when she was admitted in a hospital.
Lantana Dogo, a 10-year-old groundnut seller said, there is nothing special about the children day celebration, because it is like a normal day for her to go out to hawk her goods.
“My parents cannot afford to pay for my school fees that is why I am hawking so that we can have something to eat, and buy other important things.
“I have friends who go to school and I wish I have the opportunity to go to school to learn too, ” she expressed in Hausa language. (NAN)
