Open Letter to Nigerians: A Call to Save Our Future Leaders

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My fellow Nigerians,

This open letter is necessitated by the issues of urgent national importance connected with the just concluded first phase of my project “School Visitation” aimed at knowing the standard of educational sector of the government-owned schools in my Local Government Area (Igalamela/Odolu).

Also, the aim of this letter is to communicate and share my thoughts, and try to be a voice for my people who may be thinking of something to say but, for some reasons, may not be able to say it or not have the platform to say it; using this platform to be a voice for the people of Igalamela Odolu, most especially the youths who can’t speak for themselves.

My people, I wasn’t born with a talent of political correctness so, I like you to give me the permission of being blunt in my wordings. First, on my two days tour around my LGA, where I visited 19 schools (The names of the school will be listed out in the last paragraph of this piece), I want to register my displeasure with the state of government schools in Igalamela Odolu Local government.

In all the government schools, I saw a lot till my tears buds peppered me. I’m a product of government school too. I was never for once made to learn in such an environment. I stand to be corrected anywhere and under any authority that the state of government schools in Igalamela/Odolu local government to be precised is extremely appalling and worth shouting out about.

For instances, in some schools, they had just two teachers in the whole school; one of them is the head teacher and also the teacher who handles primary 4-6 all in just a classroom. Is it the state of the buildings or teaching amenities they lack? Where doesn’t the tale get worst?

The buildings are old and highly dilapidated, no library, no laboratories, limited classrooms, collapsing roofs, grass infected compounds, no play grounds for the kids etc. I was moved in LGEA primary school, Ujeji to a down pour of hot tears when a student caught my attention. A little orphan in primary four who hasn’t had the privilege to wear a uniform ever because his acclaimed guardian couldn’t assembly N1500 in four years.

What baffled me is that he topped his class from primary One till now. The head teacher gifts him with notebooks because she refused to give up on him. Right there, I asked how much could get him a uniform with socks and sandals, I made it available for him.

Dear Nigerians, let me remind you, these children are supposed to be the future professional accountants, Medical doctors, Lawyers, Journalist, Pilot, and bankers etc. These are one out of many stories that swept into my ears.

My gifts weren’t enough! These children need more than just exercise books, pen, a copy of NINA’S DIARY and my kind hug. The worst pains you can feel is the pains of your tears falling inward; this is the pains of the teachers I met in the various 19 schools I visited.

I write this, not as a journalist, a snide or a government’s watchdog but as an indigenous daughter of Igalamela/Odolu who has seen THE FUTURES OF MY LAND gradually vanishing away. I beseech you all by the mercies of God almighty to come to our aid.

We are tired of waiting for the government of Kogi to help us while we watch on, as the leaders of tomorrow find it hard to find their real identities as leaders. I implore the NGOs, brands, quiet and known philanthropist in and around the world, UBE, ECOWAS, UN, Missionary bodies and well-meaning Nigerians to help me in my quest for the children to see the bigger future. As little as N1000, a primary student can wear uniforms. A cement block goes for N180 per one. We can give them more classes to learn in. Not forgetting the fountain of knowledge; more teachers. I do believe if you want to see everlasting growth, train children.

Here are the names of the 19 schools as stated above: LGEA primary school, Opada LGEA primary school, Ujeji LGEA primary school, Ojokuta LGEA primary school, Ofeagugu LGEA primary school, Emachi LGEA primary school, Ajaka R.C.M school, UBE/JSS(RCM) Ajaka COMM, Secondary school, Ajaka UBE/JSS Ogbogba LGEA primary school, Ogbogba COMM, Secondary school, Ogbogba G.S.S.C, Ajaka LGEA primary Ibochi COMM, Secondary School, Ogbogbo LGEA primary school, Ogbogbo COMM, Secondary school Oforachi LGEA primary school, and Oforachi LGEA primary, Ugbatugba.

God bless You!God bless Nigeria!

Your Sincerely,

Idakwo Ajanigo Juliet
Miss Igalamela 18/19
idakwojuliet@gmail.com


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