By Emmanuel Ohore
Nigeria has some of the brightest students in the world. However, many of them, especially those in difficult areas like Sudan, face many challenges.
The civil war in Sudan, which began in 2003, has had a devastating impact on the country’s education system. The conflict led to the closure of schools, forcing many students to drop out. Those still in school face threats. Schools have been attacked by gunmen, and students have been killed or kidnapped. Many students fled the country and sought refuge in neighbouring countries and far-away places.
However, the Federal Government should ensure it prioritises the welfare of its students in crisis situations. It must build a robust communication network with citizens in crisis areas. This should include regular updates on the security situation and advice on how to act safely in an emergency. This will help ease the anxiety of students in troubled areas and provide some succour to them.
In addition, we need to work with international organisations to provide support and assistance to our students in crisis areas.This includes providing financial assistance to those who cannot afford the cost of living in the area, and scholarships to enable them to continue their education.
The government can also work with the international organisations to provide safe havens for students displaced by conflict and other security concerns. It should also ensure the safety of students in war-torn zones. This includes deploying security forces to protect students and their property, or local governments to set up security zones where Nigerian students can congregate and receive protection in the event of an attack.
The government must also ensure that they have access to medical care and basic needs, such as food and housing.
Another important step it can take to ensure the welfare of students in crisis is to establish hotlines for students. These should be handled by professionals who could provide immediate assistance and guidance. This would help the students get help quickly when they need it most.
Finally, the government must strive to promote peace and stability in the troubled region. This includes working with stakeholders to find peaceful solutions to conflicts and supporting peace-building initiatives in the region.
It can also work with international organisations to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict. This could reduce the suffering of students and their families. In short, the government has a responsibility to act proactively and ensure the safety of students in troubled areas like Sudan.