NYSC pledges to support 9-year-old pupil on fight against terrorism

Abuja - The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Thursday pledged to support a nine-year-old pupil, Splendour Joe-King, in her fight to ensure all children were educated about terrorism and its effects.

Johnson Olawumi, the Director-General of NYSC, made the pledge in Abuja when Joe-King visited him at the NYSC headquarters.

Joe-King, a grade seven pupil of Unique Blossom Schools, Maitama, had written a book titled "Effects of Terrorism on Children".

The director-general, who expressed appreciation over the visit, commended her for the courage and effort to educate children on terrorism and its effects.

He said that the integration of the book in primary and secondary schools would enable children gain knowledge of every aspect of terrorism including its causes.

Olawumi therefore promised to distribute copies of the book to all primary schools run by the NYSC nationwide, adding "I will also lend my voice to yours on the best way possible in the fight against terrorism.

"As is often said that the best ways to fight terrorism is to identify the root cause to which extremism thrives or feeds.

"Am sure a lot of children must have been wondering what is it that would motivate somebody to put explosive belt and go and blow up himself or herself along with other people.

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"I think this is one of the reasons why she made the suggestion that terrorism studies or education should be inbuilt into the curriculum of primary and secondary schools."

Olawumi noted that terrorism had very serious effects and consequences on children.

According to him, statistics has shown that in conflict all over the world, the people who bear the consequence of war are mostly women and children.

He called on parents to always ensure they encourage and support their children because they are the leaders of tomorrow and the future of Nigeria.

He donated the sum of N300,000 to Joe-King.

 "I am highly motivated with what she has done and I am making this donation from my camp allowance of the next orientation camp."

Earlier, Joe-King said her inspiration to write the book came from the fact that the terrorists seen today were once children.

She said that the book was an opportunity to educate and carry all children along on matters concerning terrorism.

Joe-King noted that there was an urgent need to integrate terrorism education in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools to educate and enlighten the young generation on the effects of such acts.

According to her, this will inculcate positive ideas in children and the youth because they are an integral part in the fight against terrorism.

She called on the director-general to include the book as part of materials used by corps members during the orientation programme.

- NAN