Let’s remember Karen Akpagher too…

1. If only we would not let this death be in vain
2. If only we would not allow Omicron dwarf the sound of his small voice
3. If only we would not allow the hustle to dwarf the sound of his small voice
4. If only we would not allow knee-jerk reactions dwarf the sound of his voice
5. If only all bullies will take this as their cue to disassociate from bullying
6. If only other victims of bullying will receive ‘their deliverance’ on this occasion
7. If only this occasion would initiate the process that will lead to closure for the families of every Nigerian child that has been killed
8. If only every parents’ forum across all schools in the land initiate robust conversations on the subject of bullying and follow through with the school management to implement effective, efficient measures aimed at completely eliminating all forms of bullying in all schools
9. If only by some new legislation passed by the relevant bodies, parents of bullies are made culpable and given stringent penalties for indulging, accommodating or neglecting to actively confront bullying tendencies in their wards
10. If only we can fund the police and security agencies with adequate resources to effectively play their role because of the deeply worrying implications from a situation where minors becoming murderers have been normalized
11. If only mental health practitioners receive the necessary support and recognition to throw their hats in this ring and begin to do the needful more broadly and effectively
12. If only we can have a memorial inside the National Assembly and every State House of Assembly for Sylvester, Karen, David Ntekim-Rex and other children of Nigeria brutally taken away by which we may constantly remind ourselves, and subscribe to the Never Again ethos
13. If only we can have a memorial inside every school in Nigeria for Sylvester, Karen, David Ntekim-Rex and other children of Nigeria brutally taken away by which we may constantly remind ourselves, and subscribe to the Never Again ethos
14. If only we can have a software by which students and children can upload (anonymously) encounters with bullies, etc
15. If only this would be the last time any child will go to school and return home as a corpse!