Agboje Chuks
LAGOS — As Nigeria marks its 2026 Democracy Day, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Vera-Gold Foundation, Mrs. Veronica Osagiede, has issued a passionate plea to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate and urgent rescue of the school children abducted in Oyo State.
Speaking with journalists viaa telephone interview on Friday, June 12, Mrs. Osagiede—who also serves as a Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) coordinator—expressed deep sorrow over the plight of the children, stating that the nation cannot in good conscience celebrate freedom while its youth remain captives.
“We cannot be celebrating Democracy Day while our children are languishing in the bush,” Osagiede lamented. “I am not happy. To me, it is shameful and disheartening that up until now, the Federal Government has not rescued these kidnapped children.”
The advocate spared no words in criticizing the administration’s handling of the security breach, labeling the apparent lack of progress as a national embarrassment.
She specifically called out First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, urging her to display greater maternal empathy toward the victims’ families.
“Leadership is about sacrifice and empathy, and unfortunately, the First Lady has not demonstrated these qualities regarding this tragedy,” Osagiede remarked.“She has not even publicly spoken about this horrific incident.”
Drawing a sharp contrast with past administrations, Osagiede argued that former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan exhibited far more visible compassion during similar national crises than the current First Lady.
She questioned how children could be brazenly abducted directly from their classrooms during school hours without a swift, decisive state response.
The PCRC coordinator further questioned the effectiveness of the nation’s security apparatus, wondering why vast swathes of forests have not been thoroughly combed by security forces.
“Do we not have enough soldiers? Do we lack intelligence personnel who can sweep these bushes and rescue these school children?” she asked, demanding accountability from the military high command.
Beyond the immediate security crisis, the Vera-Gold Foundation boss noted that the general state of the country has become increasingly unbearable for ordinary citizens.
She highlighted the biting economic hardship, emphasizing that pervasive hunger and inflation are compounding the trauma of insecurity.
“There is profound trouble in the country right now; the economic reality is biting hard on everyone,” she said.
Mrs. Osagiede questioned if those in power truly understand the painful realities of everyday Nigerians, particularly the agony of a mother losing a child.
Looking toward the future, she called on Nigerian youths to wake up from their political slumber and actively prepare to change the narrative in the 2027 general elections
