17 years after Victor Moses’ parents, mindless killings jeopardize kids’ Nigerian dream
Super Eagles forward, Victor Moses was only 11 years old when both of his parents – his dad, Austin, a pastor, and mother, Josephine – were killed in a riot in Kaduna State in 2001.
Religious riots between the Muslim majority and Christian minority had divided Nigeria, and Moses’ father, who had his own church, was a target.
Moses was hidden by his uncle for a week after the murder before he was flown to England for his own safety to seek asylum.
He arrived in South London where he knew no one and was placed with foster parents.
Moses defied the odds as an orphan, going on to become one of the national team’s most important players and a constant feature in Chelsea Football Club. Many children who have been victims of such devastating circumstances have not been so lucky.
Since the time the player lost his parents to the cold hands of death, about 17 years ago, religious and tribal riots continue to taint the giant of Africa status Nigeria likes to pride herself on.
As he chased dreams of going far with the Super Eagles in the ongoing Russia 2018 World Cup, thousands of other children suffered the same fate as he did – and worse. No fewer than 100 innocent persons – young, old, men, women, children – were gruesomely butchered in their sleep in Plateau State.
The attacks, various reports say, were as a result of ceaseless farmers and herdsmen clash. President Buhari has repeatedly said these clashes have been going on for years, long before he democratically assumed the position as the number one citizen in the country.
But what remains the fate of families of victims and those with nowhere to run to? Security forces in the country are yet to provide assuring answers to wanton killings.
Buhari has only condemned the killings in statements and embarked on condolence visits to affected communities, even though he has dismissed public notions that he was seemingly silent on the herdsmen’s atrocities because he “looks like one of them” as being an injustice on his person.
The killings need to stop, the government needs to provide a lasting solution and stop compounding the woes of already disadvantaged citizens.
As it was with Victor Moses, the Nigerian dream shouldn’t be made more difficult for children by allowing mindless killings of their parents to continue unchecked. Unfortunately, not many of them will be able to escape to greener pastures as he did.
