…as ActionAid demands urgent attention to change narrative

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – As Nigeria marked the 2025 Children’s Day, members of Gwalada community in Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, Friday , begged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the Chairman of AMAC, Hon Christopher Maikalangu to construct primary and secondary schools in their community.

They cried out during the 2025 Children’s Day celebration organized by ActionAid Nigeria, AAN, in their community with the theme ‘Citizens’ Action to End Poverty and Injustice’, which was also a revelation of stark realities faced by children in underserved communities, where they do not have schools, healthcare centres, electricity, and other basic amenities.

Therefore, was a powerful reminder of the widening inequality in access to education in pets of the country including the FCT, and reignited the call for inclusive development that leaves no community behind.

The Chief of Gwalada community Dr Yakubu Tanko, revealed that over 200 children of school age reside in the community, yet there is not a single government-owned primary or secondary school.

“Our children are being knocked down by vehicles as they cross major roads to attend school in other towns.

“Many pass through dangerous bush paths and are exposed to physical attacks, bullying, sexual violence, and rape.”

He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and FCT Minister Wike to come to the rescue of the children and youths of Gwalada Jiwa community.

“We want the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to come to the rescue of the children and youths of Gwalada community.

“We have seen the Minister’s good work across Abuja. We want him to extend that development to our place and other neglected FCT communities. Let’s work together to bring lasting change—one school, one child, one community at a time.”

The Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu who was represented by the Programme Specialist, Local Rights Programme, LRP, ActionAid Nigeria, Kehinde Arowosegbe, lamented the dire situation of children in Gwalada Jiwa community, noting that many of them have to trek several kilometres, often through unsafe bush paths and dangerous roads, just to attend school in neighbouring communities.

“These children, like every Nigerian child, have a constitutional right to education. But instead, they are forced to risk their lives daily to gain access to basic learning. What future are we promising when our children must face fear and trauma just to get to a classroom?

“Education is not a luxury, it is a lifeline. A school in Gwalada community is not just a building; it is a symbol of safety, a centre of opportunity, and a platform for transformation.

“If we provide schools here, children will learn in dignity, parents will have peace of mind, and the community will benefit from improved social development”, he said.

However, he stressed and pointed out that the Gwalada Jiwa people deserve access to education, and he said, “Our demands are simple: give us a school. We are asking for the constitutional right to education, protection, and opportunity, just like every other Nigerians. When we build schools, we invest in innovation, peace, leadership, and progress.”