You never can say how intelligent our little ones are until you engage them in some discussion. Here’s a memorable encounter with highly brilliant Chinkemka, the primary school pupil, who would not want to be a poltician because they are rogues. Her percption of issues is also quite exceptional.
Have you heard about Ruga settlements?
No, I don’t know anything about Ruga; they have not taught us.
Ruga is a creation of the Federal Government where Fulani people will settle all over the country and keep their cows.
No, I don’t want them to come here
Here?
I don’t want them to take over our land.
Why?
They are always fighting and killing people
READ ALSO:Transfer latest: Barcelona put N22.5bn tag on Umtiti
Who told you that?
I used to hear it on television, how people are dying because of them. Fulani are from North na?
Yes
I used to hear north north fighting.
Are you saying it is not right to fight? What if they are fighting for their right?
They can fight for their right but not take people’s land; that is not their right. They can fight for land in their place, not here.
Do you know Buhari?
Yes.
Who is he?
He is the President of Nigeria
So, as president, what does he do?
He rules the country.
Would you like to be president?
No.
Wouldn’t you want to be a politician, rule Nigeria?
No, I don’t.
Why?
Nigerian people are difficult. The politicians are very corrupt. I don’t want to be part of it.
What’s corruption?
Corruption is when you take what belongs to everybody illegally.
And you think it is bad?
Yes, it is very bad.
READ ALSO:The true story of my miracle babies
Why?
Because taking what belongs to everybody is not good. Nigeria has many resources yet the people are very poor because of corruption…politicians cheat the poor and steal everything.
So, what do you advise Buhari to do?
I want him to fight and kill corruption.
But he is already doing that.
Corruption is still everywhere. I hear it in the news everyday. But they say Buhari is dead, is it true?
No, it is not true. Buhari is alive and well.
Some people say he’s already dead.
No, he’s alive; don’t mind them.
Tell him to fight corruption well well. Let him make a new law and give corrupt people life imprisonment and collect all the money they stole from them. He can then use it to develop the country – build schools, hospitals, roads and do better things for Nigerians, not this Ruga.
Do you love Nigeria?
No.
Why?
Because of corruption. It has made life difficult for everybody; it is a sin.
Sin?
Yes.
What is sin?
Sin is anything God does not like. That is what my pastor said.
So, you are a Christian?
Yes.
Then that is why you should be in politics and do the right things.
No, I don’t like politics.
It then means you don’t want Nigeria to get better because sinners will continue to rule.
I want Nigeria to be better but I don’t want to be a politician. Anyway, I am still small, so it will take long.
I know, but what if you are grown now?
I still don’t want. It will be difficult for politicians to go to heaven; they are thieves, liars and sinners. Me, I want to go to heaven.
Haba! But God says when the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice.
Yes, but is Goodluck Jonathan a Christian?
Yes.
Is he Igbo?
No.
Things were better when Johnathan was president. Then pure water was sold for five naira unlike now, everything is worse. Nigerians should have voted for Jonathan again.
Are you saying because Jonathan is a Christian, he is better than Buhari?
No, that is not what I mean. There was also corruption during Jonathan’s time but not too much. Even Christians also sin….eeeh, I don’t know but maybe Jonathan was also corrupt. Why have not Igbo become president?
I don’t know, maybe they have not allowed them.
Why?
It is politics. They don’t just give presidency like that.
Let Nigeria have Igbo president, maybe he will be better since others have failed.
You sound very intelligent; do you like the state of education?
No, government is not doing enough for education. Only private schools are trying but private school teachers are not paid well. Public schools pay better but the buildings are looking like they want to fall.
Really?
All you hear in public school is cult, cult, and much noise making and playing.
Why?
Because there are too many children in one class and government gave law that teachers should not flog. So, the children misbehave.
Do you like flogging?
No, they don’t flog us much in my school but sometimes it helps to make children to behave well.
Is that all you will say?
No, government schools, even some private schools too, they have dirty toilets or none at all. I also don’t know why they punish pupils in public schools to be cutting grass, or allow them to be dancing or playing in the rain. Nobody tells them to stop because government says no flogging.
So, if you are made Minister of Education, what would you do?
I will change the law on flogging and allow teachers to flog pupils but not too much. I will make sure that no child plays outside when classes are on. I will build fine, fine schools, pay teachers good money and stop corruption. Government claims to pay teachers higher than they actually do by deducting their salaries; I will stop it.
Do you know what is examination malpractice?
Yes; it is cheating in the exams and I don’t like it; it is not good.
Why?
Because it is not good that after reading, others will be ‘giraffeing’ and copying from you.
What is wrong with it; don’t you think it is a smart way to pass exam?
No, it is not. Instead of reading, some students waste time. It will not help them in life. Many graduate from school but they don’t know anything.
How can it be stopped?
Students should be made to read their books. They should sit one, one on seats during exams. Teachers should be allowed to beat anybody caught cheating, especially in public schools where most of it takes place.
How do you feel about the out-of-school children?
I don’t feel happy when I see out of school children. It is sad.
Why do you think they are not in school?
Maybe their parents did not go to school or do not value education. Some, it is because of money; parents should do small, small things to get money and send their children to school.
But some parents don’t have ‘small, small things’ to do to get money. Government should provide them jobs or give them money. Government should not collect school fees.
What should government do to parents who fail to send their children to school but send them hawking?
Government should follow all child hawkers to their house and ask their parents why the children are not in school. Government should help them. In fact, government should arrest and punish them. They must send children to school so that they can prosper. It is children that didn’t go to school that cause trouble in the country.