Brigadier General M.A. Sadiq, Commander of the 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, has urged journalists to take an active role in raising awareness about the dangers of child abandonment, stressing that the act has a direct connection to rising crime rates in society.
Brigadier General M.A. Sadiq made the call when he received the leadership of the Kano Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on a courtesy visit, led by its Chairman, Comrade Sulaiman Abdullahi Dederi. The meeting was held at the conference hall of the Nigerian Army 3 Brigade Headquarters, Bukavu Barracks.
He emphasized the critical role the media plays in educating the public about the consequences of neglecting children, which can ultimately lead to increased criminal activity.
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He quoted some Qur’anic verses, stressing the significance of parental care and the punishment for any father who neglects his responsibility towards his child.
The 3 Brigade Commander charged journalists to provide more awareness programs for parents with a view to enhancing community relations.
“Any child who doesn’t receive parental or societal care is bound to become a notorious individual in society. The majority of criminals were abandoned as children.
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“It is only by creating awareness and sensitizing the public to the dangers of child abandonment that we can maintain peace in our society.” The Commander 3 Brigade, General Sadiq added.
He challenged journalists to be purveyors of peace, recognizing the significance of mainstream media in verifying information, even in the social media age.
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He acknowledged Kano’s relative peace compared to other northwest cities, stressing the importance of addressing potential peace-breaching issues.
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of the Kano State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Sulaiman Abdullahi Dederi, mentioned that he led the executive members to meet Brigadier General M.A. Sadiq for an introduction following their election.
The Chairman, represented by his Vice, Mustapha Gambo Muhammad, identified the Nigerian Army as partners in progress.
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“This visit is necessary because we see the Nigerian Army as a symbol of national unity and discipline. While your mandate is to protect territorial integrity and sovereignty and to fight against banditry and terrorism, ours as professionals is to ensure we disseminate your policies and programs to various communities for better understanding,” Comrade Dederi stated.
He lauded the Nigerian Army for its commitment to ending terrorism and banditry in some cities across Northern Nigeria, noting that the Brigade and other security agencies need to be commended for maintaining peace in Kano compared to other cities.
The Chairman extolled the Commander for honoring the invitation to visit and engage with the Kano NUJ leadership.
The visit ended with signing of visitor register and group photographs.
