5th Letter

Dear Buddy,

It has been a while since our last correspondence. How are you and your family? Hope you are all fine. I was recently placed in a difficult situation by my six year old cousin, who asked me why Boko Haram were killing and kidnapping people. I was astonished, and for a second dumb-struck. I fumbled for words to say and simply ended up with because they were bad people.

The reality of the situation dawned on me much later that children were growing up much faster and well aware of happenings in their environment. Yesterday, he informed me again that he wished someone would go into the camp where the kidnapped Chibok girls were held and distract the terrorists long enough for the girls to escape. I couldn’t believe my ears that a six year old boy was tinkering with a solution to the kidnap saga.

This morning, after we had exchanged pleasantries, he informed me that he was embarking on fasting and prayer on behalf of the kidnapped Chibok girls for their safe return. It was then I simply decided I had heard enough and had to share this with someone. If a little boy of six is willing to forego his breakfast for the safe return of the kidnapped Chibok girls, then our leaders should be expected to do more. More importantly, what I learnt from a six year old boy is that for us to overcome terrorism and the Boko Haram menace, everyone must make the war personal and play their part in what should be a collective effort. And though he gave it his all, he could not make it to 12noon and had to cut short his fast by past ten this morning.

Sorry for going on and on, I simply needed to share my experience.  Another important thing I learnt from this is to pay more attention to this little boy of six because one never knows where the solution or inspiration out of our trouble could come from.

Till our next correspondence, take care of yourself and enjoy the rest of your weekend.