When the news first broke that armed bandits had invaded schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and abducted dozens of pupils, teachers and school administrators, there was outrage. Social media timelines were flooded with anger. Politicians issued statements. Security agencies promised action. Newsrooms pushed breaking alerts. Nigerians, at least briefly, paid attention.
Then, as we often do, we moved on.
Another week has arrived. New controversies emerged. New trends occupied our timelines. New political dramas demanded our attention. Children’s Day came and went with colourful celebrations, speeches about the future, and photographs of smiling children in uniforms. Eid al-Adha arrived with prayers, family gatherings, and messages of sacrifice and gratitude. In Ogun State, the grandeur of Ojude Oba once again captured national attention, filling social media feeds with elegance, culture and celebration.
Yet somewhere in a forest, 39 schoolchildren, six teachers and their principal remain in captivity. That contrast should disturb us.
It should disturb us that while schools organised Children’s Day activities, some children spent Children’s Day wondering whether they would survive another night. It should disturb us that while families gathered to celebrate Eid, other families stared helplessly at videos of their loved ones pleading for rescue from kidnappers. It should disturb us that while an entire nation found time to celebrate festivals and political victories, dozens of innocent Nigerians remained trapped in the bush, uncertain if they would ever return home.
The most painful part is not even the kidnapping itself. As terrible as the crime is, Nigeria has unfortunately become familiar with such horrors. The most painful part is how quickly we have learned to absorb these tragedies and continue as if they are ordinary inconveniences rather than national emergencies.
Societies do not collapse simply because bad things happen. Societies begin to decay when people stop being shocked by bad things. When abnormal becomes normal, when outrage becomes fatigue, and when human suffering becomes background noise, something fundamental is lost.
The children and teachers abducted in Oriire are not forgotten because their families have forgotten them. They are forgotten because the rest of us have become distracted.
But they are still there.
They are still sleeping in the open. They are still enduring rain and cold. Their parents are still waiting. Their families are still praying. Their classmates are still asking questions. Their communities are still living in fear.
And until they return home safely, celebration should not completely drown out concern.
Nigeria can celebrate Eid. Nigeria can celebrate Children’s Day. Nigeria can celebrate culture, politics, football and festivals. Life must continue. But life continuing should never mean conscience disappearing – perhaps, until the next incident. There is God ooooo!
WARD ROUNDS
Cooking Gas Surges
The National Bureau of Statistics says the average cost of refilling a 5kg cooking gas cylinder has climbed to N8,706. At this point, inflation is no longer something Nigerians read about in reports; it is something they negotiate with every day in markets, fuel stations and kitchens. The average household is being forced to make increasingly difficult choices between nutrition, transportation and other basic necessities.
Cooking gas was once promoted as the cleaner and safer alternative to firewood and charcoal. But as prices continue to rise beyond the reach of ordinary families, many households may be pushed backwards into less efficient and less environmentally friendly options. Omorrrrr. God abeg.
Eid al-Adha
President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima used the Eid celebrations to call for unity, tolerance and shared sacrifice. Those are timely messages in a country where economic hardship and security challenges continue to test national resilience. Beyond the festivities, the season remains a reminder of faith, obedience and compassion toward others.
To our Muslim brothers and sisters, Eid Mubarak. May the celebrations bring peace, joy and renewed hope to homes across Nigeria and beyond.
Children’s Day 2026
Children’s Day should be a moment of pure joy. A day to celebrate innocence, dreams and possibilities. Yet this year’s celebration carried a painful contradiction. While speeches were made about the future of Nigerian children, dozens of schoolchildren remained in captivity in Oyo State.
Children are indeed the heritage of God. The least society owes them is safety. They deserve classrooms, playgrounds and opportunities, not fear, trauma and uncertainty. Let the children breathe!
Amaechi, Atiku and ADC Drama
Rotimi Amaechi’s rejection of the ADC presidential primary result has added another layer of intrigue to the unfolding race towards 2027. After Atiku Abubakar secured a commanding victory, Amaechi described the process as concocted and alleged widespread irregularities, claiming that a large percentage of party members were effectively excluded from participating.
Nigerian politics never seems to run out of controversy. Every primary season produces accusations of manipulation, disenfranchisement and backroom arrangements. No wonder Peter Obi left for another party. Smart move.
Tinubu at Three
May 29 marks three years since President Bola Tinubu assumed office and launched what he described as the Renewed Hope agenda. In those three years, Nigerians have witnessed some of the most consequential economic reforms in recent history, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market. While government supporters argue that these difficult decisions were necessary to reposition the economy for long-term growth, many Nigerians continue to judge the administration through the lens of their daily realities: rising food prices, higher transportation costs, a weaker naira and persistent insecurity.
Three years into a four-year term, the conversation is no longer about promises but performance. Supporters point to infrastructure projects, increased state revenues and signs of macroeconomic adjustment. Critics point to the crushing cost-of-living crisis and the growing disconnect between economic indicators and household experiences. One thing is certain: as the administration enters its final year before the next election cycle begins in earnest, Nigerians will increasingly ask a simple question: are we better off today than we were three years ago?
