“Adesanya-Davies Commends President Tinubu for Freedom of speech and ongoing Protests in Nigeria”
Prof. Mercy Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, former presidential candidate, United Nations POLAC Peace Consul, has lent her voice to the nationwide “Bring Our Children Back” protests following the abduction of students and teachers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State and Papiri, Niger State.
*On the Sanctity of Education and Life*
Prof. Adesanya-Davies condemned the mass abductions in the strongest terms: _”The chalk must speak louder than the gun. No teacher should die in service to humanity. It is not an offence to send our children to school or to get them educated.”_
She expressed deep sympathy for parents, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, and communities across Oyo and Niger States who are still crying and unable to eat or sleep while 29 students + 7 teachers in Ogbomoso, and over 150 children + 12 teachers in Papiri remain in captivity.
*Commending Government Efforts, Demanding Urgency*
While acknowledging President Bola Tinubu’s assurances that _“they are fine… it is a matter of time they will be reunited with their families”_, Prof. Adesanya-Davies urged the President, Governor Seyi Makinde, and Governor Umar Bago to treat this as a national emergency.
_”I commend Mr. President for prioritizing rescue efforts and for assuring parents that the children are alive. But our mothers and fathers need action, not just assurance. President Tinubu and Governor Bago must do all you can to bring back our children now,”_ she stated.
She welcomed Governor Bago’s directive closing all schools in Niger State, noting _”This is not the time for a blame game. Our focus must be on how to rescue the children”_.
*Call for Peaceful Protest + Dialogue*
Prof. Adesanya-Davies commended NUT, parents, and civil society for organizing peaceful solidarity rallies in Lagos, Abuja, and other cities. She aligned with President Tinubu’s Democracy Day position: _”Call me names, call me whatever you will, and I will still call upon democracy to defend your right to do so”_.
However, she appealed to protesters to maintain peace and embrace dialogue alongside demonstrations:
_”Nigeria requires all hands on deck – regardless of tribe, religion or political divide. Let us march with banners that demand justice, but let us also create room for dialogue with government and security agencies. Violence will only delay the return of our children.”_
*Demands to Government & Security Agencies*
1. *Immediate rescue* of all abducted students and teachers with zero casualties
2. *Protection of schools* through upgraded security architecture in rural and urban communities
3. *Transparency* – regular briefings to parents and Nigerians on rescue operations
4. *Justice & accountability* for perpetrators of school kidnappings
5. *Long-term solution* – address root causes: poverty, unemployment, and insecurity driving abductions
_”We believe in God that these innocent young children will return home and be reunited with their parents. But faith must be matched with decisive government action,”_ Prof. Adesanya-Davies concluded.
Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies former Presidential Candidate is a Professor of Applied Linguistics, UN-POLAC Peace Consul, and Secretary General, Board of Trustees, UN-POLAC.
