If you were active on social media in 2023, you probably remember the tragic case of Whitney Adeniran, the 12-year-old student of Chrisland School whose untimely death sparked widespread outrage.
She collapsed during her school’s inter-house sports event at a Lagos State-owned mini-stadium in Agege. At first, the school claimed she merely slumped and died. But the autopsy report from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, dated March 1 that year, revealed the painful truth—she died from asphyxia and electrocution.
Whitney’s story is just one of many heartbreaking incidents involving children, stories that pierce my heart every time I come across them.
That’s why, when my class (HND2) at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) took our Child Rights campaign to the examination hall on Wednesday, March 19, it wasn’t just an academic exercise for me—it was personal.
The campaign was part of our MAC 400 course, Child Rights Reporting, which we had studied throughout the 2024/2025 first semester. But for me, it went beyond the classroom. It was a moment to take a stand, to echo a cause I deeply believe in.
Wearing the campaign t-shirt, with “Children’s Right Today, Better World Tomorrow” boldly printed across my back, felt like more than just a statement—it felt like a duty. Walking into the hall and seeing my classmates and lecturer wearing the same shirt filled me with pride. In that moment, we weren’t just students; we were advocates, voices for children who couldn’t speak for themselves.
Children are innocent, curious, and full of dreams. They deserve to grow up in a world that nurtures, protects, and empowers them. Yet, too many are denied the very rights that should be their birthright—safety, education, healthcare, and the freedom to simply be children.
This campaign was a reminder that children’s rights are human rights. And if we truly want a better world tomorrow, we must fight for them today.
I hope that by participating, we helped spark conversations and inspired action—because silence only allows injustice to thrive. And as for me, I know this is only the beginning. I will continue to stand for children, to speak up, and to believe in a world where every child gets the chance to live, dream, and thrive.
Edited by Ashemiriogwa Emmanuel
