Pupils of Unique Prella Primary School, Hilltop Estate, Ikorodu, Lagos East, have been urged to speak out against any form of child abuse and to stay away from paedophiles.
The Unique Prella Primary inconjuction parents and teachers forum organized a week-long sex education themed Understanding Sexual Abuse.
The Chief Executive Officer of Praise Fowowe International, Mrs. Motolani-Abe Folabi, DPO, The Nigeria Police Force, Igbogbo Reprsentative, Ward Chairperson, NAPPS Itamaga, Alhaja Folashade Odueke, and Barrister Owenaze Anita were among the facilitators.
The Ward Chairperson, NAPPS, Alhaja Folashade, identified various forms of abuse as she called on the pupils to speak out to get help with any form of abuse raging from sexual, physical, emotional, and neglect.
Alhaja Folashade educated the children on the various strategies for identifying sexual abusers, who she said might be close relatives, neighbors, uncles, or even fathers, who may lure them with goodies.
Similarly, the CEO of Praise fowowe NGO, Mrs. Motolani, said the purpose of the advocacy was aimed at further educating children on the need to guard themselves against paedophiles in society.
While advising the children, she said, “Every time any adult, anyone at all, comes to you and gives you something and says, “Don’t tell your parents that’s a potential predator.”
She urged them to report whenever they observed such people to their parents, teachers, and guardians.
Mrs. Omotolani, who also stressed the need for the children to always speak out while being abused or assaulted by family members, neighbors, or siblings, admonished mothers to be aware of their responsibilities in protecting the children.
She equally spoke with parents who were on the ground about the need for conscious efforts to reduce the spate of sexual abuse that had become rampant in society in recent times.CSP further sheds more light on all forms of abuses and punishments.
She stressed that the Lagos State government frowns on sexual abuse and it attracts life imprisonment for anybody caught.
While reiterating that Nigerian police don’t compromise on defilement cases, she urged parents and community leaders to report to Nigeria if they find any predators in their community.
Barrister Owenaze, who addressed the parents via the zoom section, emphasised more on preventive measures rather than relying on the failed system in addressing the alarming menace.
Speaking on behalf of the school, the Chairman of the Parents Teachers Association, PTA, Mr. Ayodele Adeyinka, appreciated the team for what he described as an impactful time with both the children and the parents.
He described sexual abuse as a general societal issue. He urged every school to adopt a similar program to sensitize parents, teachers, and children, respectively.
Ayodele Adeyinka, who also doubles as a community leader, added that he will take the sensitization to various communities in order to nip the menace in the bud.
The school proprietress, Mrs. Blessing Owenaze, thanked Parents Teachers Forum and the facilitators for making the programme a huge success.