A decade has passed since the abduction of over 200 young girls from their school in Chibok Town, Borno State, North-East Nigeria. They were taken by rebel criminals while preparing for their West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examinations, an important milestone meant to propel them towards their future aspirations. Despite a few managing to escape, the rest were left to endure a life of sorrow and suffering at the hands of their captors. Some were later rescued by the Military, but their innocence had been forcibly stripped away, leaving them as wives and mothers in harsh conditions imposed by those who believed education was forbidden. Even now, girls like Leah Sharibu and others remain in captivity simply for seeking education, a fundamental right crucial for national development and global goals like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and African Union Agenda 2063.

Despite efforts like the Safe School Declaration initiated after the Chibok tragedy, the positive impact has been limited, evident in subsequent incidents like the kidnapping of nearly 300 students in Kuriga, Kaduna State North-West Nigeria. Ten years later, we continue to wait anxiously for our girls to come back home to the loving embrace of their families. In the meantime, governments at all levels must fulfill their responsibilities not only in ensuring school safety but also in providing opportunities for young people to thrive and avoid resorting to violence as a means of survival.