“As neighbours, there is no value in seeing children in compromising positions and then you do nothing about it. We are all interconnected and no one is absolutely exclusive of the other. It is our responsibility to be joint-partners in positively and wholesomely building the next generation. And the best way we can go about this, I must emphasize, is via seeing every child as our own child. That is, we take interest in every child just the same way it comes off natural we take interest in our biological children, seeing that physically, mentally, emotionally, sexually, they are protected against any harm that will or will not spell doom for their life.”
The security of children transcends their biological parents or even their family relatives. When there is a consciousness of the importance of children in the present and future of a nation, it then becomes patent and pivotal that concerted efforts must be harneesed for their protection on all fronts that make for a secured today for a bright morrow for them.
As adults, you are beholden to every child’s social security, especially in situations where you notice a potential danger or the absence of an adult.
The truth remains that parents cannot be everywhere neither can they be with their children all the time. These children go to school. They run errands. They go to worship centres. They spend time with their friends in the neighborhood; all these places, chances are as high as you can picture that a child’s parents won’t be there with them always. At that point, who does the onus to protect the child fall on?
Inevitably, it falls on you, that member of the society privileged to see these children walk home from school, run errands on the street, at home in the same compound when their parents are out; the social responsibility falls on you to keep an eye on their security and ensure that they are not in any way endangered.
It’s sad to say that the indifference we have paid as a people to the communal protection of one another as expected of neighbors has, in no small way, contributed to the flawed security system that has not only put the lives of adults at risk, but that of children as well.
Here are some roles — as neighbors, community leaders or community members, of which I believe you reading this column find yourself in — you can play in seeing that children around you live and grow in a secured environment that assures them a future brimmed with endless possibilities.
Stranded or lost kids should be handed over to the right authorities
Most people act unconcerned when they find a lost or stranded child with the mindset that it is no concern of theirs while putting the blames on the child’s parents for leaving the child out in the wild. But it should not be that way. Helping the child at that moment should be paramount before straightening it out with the parents later.
The first step to take when you see a stranded kid is to contact the police or any other authority that is around, or try to contact the relatives of the child if they are known to you. It is even better if the child can provide the contact of any of their relative so they can be informed of the situation of the child and can take the necessary steps to retrieve the child. Since what happened is unknown, it is better to secure the child first before taking actions.
Assist children in getting across the road
On their way back from school or while on errands, children might have to cross some roads with heavy traffic, getting scared in the process; of which if not well-managed usually results to them being run over by vehicles. As an adult, helping the children get across the road is one of your responsibilities so that they can get to their destination safe and sound.
Tactfully notice any strange discussion between a child and an adult
Oftentimes, children are spoken to by unknown people while they are walking on the streets. These strangers pretend to be nice initially, wanting to earn the children’s trust and affection, but once they noticed that there is no adult around, they get into their nefarious plan and take the kids away eventually. As an adult, once you notice that a child is being accosted by a stranger, and that the conversation is starting to become forceful, tactfully observe things; and over the course of your observation, if you then notice that the adult is trying to overpower the child, raise an alarm via alerting the police or any security force to come to the rescue in order to stop any danger from occurring. If the situation is within your capabilities, you could move in and protect the child from the harmful plan of the stranger.
Drive slowly while in the neighbourhood to avoid hitting children
Most adults drive their cars at insane speeds while forgetting they are in a neighbourhood filled with children that could either be playing in the streets or about to cross the road. Adults should be warned against driving at fast speeds since a child could be hanging anywhere in the corner of a street and can simply bump into the road at any time. Make sure you’re driving slowly while in your neighbourhood as it would make it easier to slow down if by chance, a child bumps into the road or a child wants to cross the road.
Report any social vices you find a child engaging in to their parents
Children easily mingle with other children in the neighbourhood, and some might indulge in some activities that could be impairing to their morals and even put them at a security risk in the nearest future. Example is a child of 15 seen smoking cigarette. An act he never used to do but suddenly, as a result of moving with some friends, engages in it. Seeing such and shrugging it off as none of your business as some do is 0nly making you a complicit in the breeding of the next criminals in the society.
Vices noticed in a child should be reported to the parents or guardian of the child, so the right actions to get the child on the right path be taken before it becomes too late.
An entrance gate should be provided by the community to monitor those who go in and come out
It is imperative for the security of children that an entrance gate be provided by the community which would serve as a deterring force for suspicious movements and a way to find out who goes in and out of the community.
As neighbours, there is no value in seeing children in compromising positions and then you do nothing about it. We are all interconnected and no one is absolutely exclusive of the other. It is our responsibility to be joint-partners in positively and wholesomely building the next generation. And the best way we can go about this, I must emphasize, is via seeing every child as our own child. That is, we take interest in every child just the same way it comes off natural we take interest in our biological children, seeing that physically, mentally, emotionally, sexually, they are protected against any harm that will or will not spell doom for their life.
Meanwhile, you can get my book, The Child’s Best Interest, which I co-authored with my wife, Dr. V.C Bassey to learn more — as parents, family relatives, teachers, religious leaders and community members — on how you could protect our little ones.
Matthew 18:10: See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
Professor Ofonime Emmanuel Bassey is a Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution coach with decades of experience in the practice and promotion of Law Enforcement, Peace and Security through the Nigeria Police and the United Nations.
He is a professor in Leadership, Peace and Conflict Resolution, a certified United Nation’s Trainer, and currently the Director of ICOF Institute of Leadership, Peace and Conflict Resolution in Africa.
Prof. Bassey has served and interacted at the top-level management of the Nigeria Police as well as internationally as a United Nation’s Monitor/Mentor in Kosovo, Europe.
With his marks well-established in Peace Leadership both in Nigeria and Africa, he is currently the President, NISSI Safety Management Institute: An Institute of Peace Leadership.
To his many humanitarian acts, he currently spearheads a campaign tagged “The Next Peace Leaders” billed to run from 2022-2023 with a target of training 37,000 young peace leaders.
For peace and security tips, consultations and trainings, reach him via:
Facebook: Dr. O.E Bassey
LinkedIn: Dr. O.E Bassey
Twitter: Dr. O.E Bassey
WhatsApp: +2347065828892
Mail: EmmanuelBassey@gmail.com
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