Writers 
Don’t shout on the future.
Because the future is currently in primary 4.
The future is the little girl selling Gala in traffic.
The future is the boy that just failed math but still wants to try again.
Every child deserves to be taught in love,
Not just in school. Taught about life. Taught about God. Taught that failing one test doesn’t mean they are a failure.
Every child deserves to be heard.
"Wait, let me finish." "What do you think?"
Simple sentences. But they tell a child: "Your voice matters."
When we always say "you’re too small, go and sit down", we’re teaching them to keep quiet even when they’re in pain.
Every child deserves to love and be loved.
A child that is loved at home won’t go and look for love on the street.
Hug them. Even when they misbehave, correct them but don’t make them feel rejected.
Let them know: "I’m correcting you because I love you, not because I don’t want you."
Every child deserves a chance to grow without fear of failure or rejection.
Fear kills dreams faster than poverty.
When a child is scared to raise their hand in class, scared to try something new, scared that "if I fail they will laugh at me"... that child will play it safe their whole life. And safe people rarely change the world.
You know what’s funny?
The corp members the children admire today were once children who simply refused to give up on what they believed they could become.
That copper teaching them phonics on Saturday was once the child that teachers said "is too dull".
That doctor was once the child that failed biology.
That pastor was once the child that was always asking too many questions in Sunday school.
The only difference between them and the child sitting quietly in the corner right now?
Someone believed in them. Someone listened. Someone didn’t shout on them.
And to everyone,
May we never lose the childlike faith to believe again.
That crazy faith that says "God, I know it’s not possible but I believe you anyway."
May we never lose the courage to try again after we fail.
May we never lose the heart to love genuinely, without "what’s in it for me".
We are so busy. But can we pause?
Protect children.
Protect them from harsh words. Protect them from abuse. Protect them from being compared to "your mate Ada".
Encourage children.
"Well done." "I’m proud of you." "Try again, you can do it." Three sentences that can change a destiny.
Listen to them.
Their story about cartoon might sound useless to you. But to them, it’s important. And if you don’t listen to small things, they won’t tell you big things later.
Let me be honest with us.
The Nigeria we are praying for. The church we are fasting for. The leaders we are crying out for.
They are not in heaven. They are growing in someone’s house right now.
They are in that classroom. In that compound. In that children’s church.
What we do with children today is what we will live with tomorrow.
So please.
Don’t shout on the future.
Teach the future.
Hear the future.
Love the future.
Because the future is not coming.
The future is already here. Wearing uniform. Carrying bag. And watching us. ❤️
#DontShoutOnTheFuture.
#ProtectChildren. #ListenToThem.
