Shield children from sexual abuse, parents, teachers urged

Yomi Otubela

SCHOOL owners, parents and educators have been charged to ensure that children in their care are protected from negative influences that may make them victims of sexual molestation and substance abuse. 

This advise was given at a seminar organised by Lagooz Schools, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos; to  sensitise pupils and parents on sexual exploitation, drug abuse, gender identity and others.

The seminar took place in the school premises.

Nollywood actress, Sola Kosoko-Abina, who was the guest speaker, urged parents, educators and school owners to ensure that children are trained and protected from negative influences that would make them  victims of sexual molestation and drug abuse. "The major responsibility lies in the hands of parents in ensuring a safe and healthy environment to raise their children and also give them adequate training and guidance regarding sex education and drug abuse. Educators and school owners must also ensure the safety of children in their care," she said.

The Proprietor of Lagooz Schools, who is also the National President of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPPS, Chief Yomi Otubela, quoting UNICEF, explained that six out of ten children in Nigeria experience emotional, physical or sexual abuse before age 18, hence it was imperative to take such issues seriously. Discussants at the seminar which had as theme: Sexual exploitation and substance abuse among learners: prevention, control and management strategy, included founder of Brainy Educate, Mrs. Eniola Shakirah Olajobi, an educational psychologist; Mr. Unuane Isaac, Assistant Commander of Narcotics and Area Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA and Mr Tunde Adunola, Chief Executive Officer of Firmstep Educational Support Services.

Olajobi, who spoke on human development, puberty, sexual orientation and gender identity, called for proper training of children from infancy, stressing that it is the most important stage of human development. She, however, urged parents to be available to take care of their children and seek professional advice to create a safer and saner world for them.

On his part, Isaac advised pupils to avoid abuse and misuse of drugs. The NDLEA Assistant Commander, who said drug abuse had grave consequences on health, called on all stakeholders to collaborate in tackling it. He spoke on: Drug abuse ,signs, consequences and prevention. "Drug abuse is a global problem that has assumed the state of a pandemic especially in Nigeria. The trend has become more worrisome as it has progressed from youth level to adolescence and even children. Suffice to say that trafficking in illicit substances have wreaked havoc in our society," he said.

Adunola in his lecture entitled: Breaking the myth about disability, noted that the biggest problem of people with disabilities is their lack of sufficient opportunities or inequality of opportunities due to societal prejudice.

He said most common disabilities are witnessed in the developmental stages of children from age 0 to 3, hence, he advised parents to look out for early signs and start early intervention.

Culled from Vanguard

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