@Protecting Education, Protecting Our Future

@Protecting Education, Protecting Our Future

Every September 9, the world pauses to mark the International Day to Protect Education from Attack. This day is not a mere symbolism; it is a call to conscience, a cry to awaken our collective humanity to defend classrooms, protect teachers, and secure the future of learners. Education is not just a system; it is the lifeline of any society that dares to dream of progress. Yet in Nigeria, this lifeline is bleeding from multiple wounds.

From the North where insurgency, terrorism, and mass kidnappings of schoolchildren have shut down classrooms, to the East where enforced sit-at-home orders silence the bells of learning, to communities everywhere where burglars invade schools to cart away laboratory equipment, library resources, and essential learning tools—the Nigerian child is under siege. Even within the safety of schools, teachers now face assaults from parents who, instead of cooperating with educators, attack them for correcting their children. The very hands meant to nurture are being shackled by fear.

Beyond physical attacks, the Nigerian education system suffers economic and social assaults. School-age children are forced into child labour, trafficking, street hawking, and domestic servitude—crimes that rob them of the right to learn. Social vices creep into the same spaces meant to inspire: drug abuse, rape, and harassment from adults who should be protectors but have become predators. Each of these acts, whether by omission or commission, is an attack on education itself.

So, what must be done? First, government must go beyond rhetoric and enforce the Safe Schools Declaration it signed. Armed security, community vigilante collaboration, and technology-driven surveillance should be deployed around vulnerable schools. Second, parents must become allies, not adversaries—understanding that discipline and correction are foundations of learning. Third, society must rise against child labour and trafficking, creating a system where no child is too poor to be in school through scholarships, feeding programmes, and strict enforcement of compulsory basic education laws. Fourth, faith leaders, traditional rulers, and community gatekeepers must wage war against the vices that exploit children—be it drugs, abuse, or violence. And finally, educators themselves must be empowered with training, protection, and respect, for they are the custodians of knowledge.

Protecting education is not a task for government alone; it is a duty for all. When we shield schools, we shield the future. When we defend teachers, we defend destiny. And when we give children a safe classroom, we give Nigeria a fighting chance to rise above insurgency, poverty, and decay. Today, let us remember: an attack on education is an attack on our future. To protect education is to protect the soul of our nation.

Nigerian youths, the future is in your hands. Do not stand by—rise as defenders of your classrooms, speak against every act that robs you of learning, and guard education with courage. Protect it, for in doing so, you are protecting your own destiny.

Yours in fulfilment,

*@Otunba Femi Abiola, CMIE, MCE*

*@President*

*@Project Youth Fulfil*

#ProjectYouthFulfil

#PYoFguides

#PYoFinspires

#PYoFmotivates

#PYoFdevelops

#PYoFmentors

#PYoFleads

*Share, follow, comment, like & join us* in this journey to fulfilment on any of our online multimedia platforms 👇

*Our Contact:* 

*Call* : 07065492010

*Blogsite* : https://projectyouthfulfil.blogspot.com/?m=1

*Facebook* : Project Youth Fulfil

https://www.facebook.com/projectyouthfulfil?mibextid=ZbWKwL

*Instagram* : Project Youth Fulfil

 https://www.instagram.com/project_youth_fulfil?igsh=MWNuZmRpbmMzZGE0aQ==

*WhatsApp Group* :  Project Youth Fulfil

https://chat.whatsapp.com/EcHf0KbbAAC3mY2jGFVDBm

*X* (formerly Twitter): Project Youth Fulfil

https://x.com/pfulfil44023

*Email* : pyof24@gmail.com