Re: 4 secondary school students steal N1.4m laptops in Jigawa

Iwas shocked and devastated to read a story with the above headline on page 40 of Daily Trust of Monday, August 14, 2017. In the story, four final-year students of Government Science and Technical College, Karniya in Yankwashe Local Government Area of Jigawa State, were arrested over the theft of 18 sets of mini laptop computers in their school, valued at N1.4 million. How did it happen? What went wrong?

Children are our precious gifts from God. We are, therefore, duty bound to train, educate and protect them from societal ills. Many will agree with me that the deteriorating standard of education in the country, including Jigawa State, is influencing our children negatively.

Apart from and guardians, it parents is also the responsibility of teachers to instil morals in students. Unfortunately, most parents and teachers have neglected their duties. And they don’t live by example.

It is surprising and embarrassing that such immorality could take place in a school where are children are trained. I want to use this medium to appeal to Governor Muhammadu Abubakar Badaru Talamiz to do everything within his power to protect our children. Something is really wrong, and it must be corrected. It is important to provide free and quality education for our children, as well as inculcate acceptable religious values in them. One of the cardinal objectives of government is to protect the people, including children. There is the need to ensure that they are not exposed to various evils in the society. Sound education begets good morals.

Parents have a lot of work do on their children. As a parent, it is your duty to properly train, monitor and provide for your children. Also, identify their weaknesses and strengthen them accordingly. Give your children special treatment. Remember that time is coming when you will become weak, fragile and vulnerable. There will come a time when you won’t be able to do anything for yourself and you will definitely depend on your children, so there’s every need for you to train them well. Failure to do the right thing at the right time will spell doom for the future. Do not delay, start now. We have to use the best opportunities we have to make tomorrow count.