"The future of Nigeria is stolen, says UNICEF" Paul Obi Following the brutal murdered of students of the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State, by suspected Boko Haram members, UNICEF yesterday expressed shock and outrage at the brutal killing of about 45 children between ages 13 and 17.According to UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Manuel Fontaine, the attack signaled a spiral fall of humanity on the part of the perpetrators, stating that: "We condemn in the strongest possible terms this vicious attack on students."Fontaine observed that: "Many young lives were lost. Many students and teachers are deprived of their right to education. Attacks on children and schools are unacceptable under any circumstances."The regional director further maintained that: "UNICEF is deeply concerned about the repeated attacks on schools in the North-eastern Nigeria in this context of fear and violence. Since June 2013, four attacks resulted in school closures affecting thousands of students, many of whom have had no access to formal learning for months."When a school is under attack and students become targets, not only their lives are shattered, the future of the nation is stolen."UNICEF offers it deepest condolences to all the families and communities affected by these senseless acts and calls for greater efforts to protect all children throughout Nigeria."
Also, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, condemned the attacks in strong terms. Onaiyeka says that the killing smacks of a "nation in tragedy, where terrorists engage in the highest form of barbarism, it is beyond anybody's imagination and understanding; government should see this as the highest point."According to the Cardinal, the killings in Yobe State should compel "Nigerians to have sufficient source of rage to say no to Boko Haram killings and find a solution to it."
Comments