In a farewell speech on Sunday, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed his continued grief for young children and citizens who are still in captivity, particularly those taken by Boko Haram terrorists since he became president. He acknowledged that despite the efforts of Nigerian security agencies, many innocent lives are still held captive unlawfully.
President Buhari also emphasized that his commitment to fighting corruption has been central to the decisions he made throughout his presidency, pointing out that corruption has significantly undermined Nigeria’s progress towards becoming a great country.
According to the United Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Northeastern region of Nigeria has seen more than 2,400 instances of serious violations against children since 2014, which has affected over 6,800 children. The most common violations have been the recruitment or use of children by armed groups, with over 700 verified cases.
Several other instances, such as abductions of children, killing, and maiming, have also been recorded. Moreover, UNICEF reported that in the last decade, over 2,295 teachers were killed in attacks, over 19,000 teachers were displaced, more than 1,500 schools were shut down due to insecurity, and 910 schools were destroyed.
In conclusion, President Buhari’s statement underscores Nigeria’s struggle with terrorism and corruption and the severity of these challenges. Additionally, his farewell speech highlights the need to prioritize the security of the country’s citizens and fight corruption to sustain Nigeria’s growth and development.
