Defence
CHILD Youth Protection Foundation (CYPF) has called on relevant stakeholders to do more to protect schools and students in vulnerable communities from attacks.
The National Coordinator of CYPF, Mr Kolawole Olatosimi said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja to commemorate the International Day to Protect Education from Attacks.
Olatosomi said the students across the country needed to be reassured that the society would do all it can to protect them from all forms of harm and also provide the essentials needed for their growth and development.
“The conflict in some parts of the country is increasing the number of out- of-school children and if nothing is done to address this situation, we risk having a security situation in the future.
” The safety of our nation is at great risk if we do not address the plight of children in conflict communities,” Olatosimi said.
He said relevant stakeholders which include the the ministry of education, communities,law enforcement agencies, traditional and religious leaders, parents and also most importantly the children, have important roles to play in ensuring safety.
“Around the world, attacks on children continue unabated, as warring parties flout one of the most basic rules of war, the protection of children.
” The protracted nature of conflicts today is affecting the futures of entire generations of children,”he said.
Olatosimi said without access to education, a generation of children living in conflicts would grow up without the skills they need to contribute to their countries and economies.
He said a child’s right to education cannot be safeguarded in conflict zones without education itself being protected, saying education can be a life-saver.
Olatosomi said: “Out-of-school, children are easy targets of abuse, exploitation and recruitment by armed forces and groups.
“Schools should provide a safe space where children can be protected from threats and crises.
“It is also a critical step to breaking the cycle of crisis and reduces the likelihood of future conflicts.”
NAN reports that International Day to Protect Education from Attacks 2022 is observed on Sept. 9, annually.
It is a day of annual observance that aims to draw attention towards attacks on students, teachers and education institutions and the use of schools for military purposesthat happens during armed conflicts.
The day also raises awareness of the efforts aimed at promoting and protecting the right to education and facilitating the continuation of education in armed conflicts, including the Safe Schools Declaration. (NAN)
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Tags: CYPF Kolawole Olatosimi
