By OLUWASEYI ODUNEYE-OGUNWOMOJU

Some parents in Ibadan, Oyo State, say the rising insecurity now makes them constantly look over their shoulders, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

In separate interviews with NAN at Palms Mall, Ring Road, respondents express both fear and hope for a better Nigeria as Eid-el-Kabir and Children’s Day celebrations continue.

An entrepreneur, Mr Wahid Lawal, said that the state of insecurity gives him constant palpitations, which is not a healthy way to live.

Lawal said he had to be out with his 4 and 6-year-old girls because there was no way to explain to them that being outside for the celebration wasn’t safe.

“If my daughters were a bit older, we would be at home, because, really, the situation of things hardly calls for celebration.

“Too many sad and depressing things are happening around, and one can only reflect and be hopeful for better days,” he said

A baker, Mrs Idayat Okunowo, said that all mothers in Nigeria are currently in silent prayers for the return of all kidnapped victims.

Okunowo said that no parent deserves to experience what they are going through right now.

“We are out here today just to ease off the tension in our bodies; many children don’t really understand what is going on.

“We can’t even explain to them in detail so as not to instil fear in them,” she said

A car dealer, Mr Okikiola Badmus, said he took his family out to create memories as their usual tradition.

Badmus said that while having fun, he is alert in case an unusual situation happens.

“It is wrong that we are out having fun and equally alert to stay alive.

“The most difficult part of this situation is teaching and educating children under 10 years of age on being vigilant and careful.

“Parents have now been saddled with more responsibilities of keeping home and family safe,” he said.

A 72- year-old grandmother, Mrs Kehinde Adeleye, said the insecurity everywhere is saddening.

According to Adeleye, no nation should be experiencing what we are going through.

“Our leaders need to show more that they care. They should see that children are a priority in everything, as they are our future,” she said.

Mr Ayodeji Solanke, the Group Coordinator of the Neighbourhood Learning Initiative, a children-based Non-Government Organisation, called for more deliberate leadership to give the children a future.

He said it makes no sense to call children the leaders of tomorrow when they are struggling to survive today through no fault of their own.

“Leaders across structures and organisations should take deliberate steps to create the environment that truly supports our talk of the children being greater tomorrow.

“We are being unfair if we keep losing them to our unfriendly creations; as elders and leaders, we owe them a protected and conducive growth environment,” he said.

Meanwhile, 11-year-old Bolanle Oladipo said that this was her least memorable celebration.

Oladipo said that her father had earlier promised to take her to Ilaji Resort for the celebrations, before the plan changed.

“I was looking forward to visiting a new place, only to be told that the event I was to attend had been cancelled due to what happened to some school students.

“I wish what happened had never happened; all children in Nigeria would have been celebrating happily,” she said. (NAN)

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