By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu and Modupe Olorundare
Stakeholders within the schooling sector have urged secondary faculty college students in Lagos Island to withstand peer strain, shun cultism and substance abuse, and promptly report threats to trusted adults.
They gave the recommendation on Wednesday on the Annual Lecture and Mentoring Workshop organised by Eko Boys to Men.
The programme, with with the theme “R.O.T.E.C.T: Prevent Outreach for Teens Endangered by Cultism and Substance Abuse Today”, targeted on prevention, rehabilitation, constructive relationships and character improvement.
Mr Henry Shofowora, Chairman, Welfare and Membership Committee of the affiliation, stated the initiative aimed to present again to Lagos Island by serving to younger individuals make accountable decisions.
He urged college students to establish constructive qualities of their associates, noting that supportive relationships might enhance educational efficiency, construct confidence and encourage accountable behaviour.
“Real brotherhood offers a future, not a weapon,” Shofowora stated.
He urged college students to practise constructive self-affirmation, stay accountable to guardians and resist adverse influences.
He inspired them to embrace entrepreneurship, expertise and sensible expertise to develop resourcefulness and put together for future alternatives.
Shofowora warned that substance abuse might trigger well being problems, emotional instability and poor focus, whereas misusing natural mixtures and prescription medicines might endanger younger individuals.
He additionally inspired college students to develop communication expertise, describing assured talking and efficient engagement as worthwhile property for careers in gross sales, advertising and different fields.
During a panel session, Mr Opeoluwa Taiwo, Executive Director of The African Initiative, urged college students to assist friends experiencing substance-use issues with out stigmatising them.
Taiwo stated college students ought to acknowledge affected associates’ difficulties, present understanding and assist them entry skilled help, together with rehabilitation the place crucial.
He cited instances of people whose educational potential and social confidence had suffered due to drug use, stressing that educational achievement alone provided no safety.
Mr Adeleke Salaudeen, a Chief Superintendent of Police, Lagos Island Area Command, warned college students in opposition to pressured recruitment into cult teams and suggested them to keep away from threatening people.
Salaudeen cautioned in opposition to accepting invites that might expose younger individuals to medicine and cult-related actions, urging vigilance and avoidance of conditions threatening their security.
He inspired college students to report suspicious actions and threats to academics, principals, faculty safety committees or different trusted adults.
The panellists emphasised that safety was a shared duty, urging college students to embrace the precept: “When you see something, say something.”
They suggested college students threatened by cult teams to hunt assist from trusted academics, spiritual leaders, relations and group members, significantly when approaching strict mother and father appeared troublesome.
Mr Abiodun Olabijoye, Principal of Eko Akete Senior Grammar School, stated confidence-building started at house, stressing mother and father’ duty to nurture self-belief with out encouraging vanity.
Ayinla Muheez, a mascot performer who spoke about his interactions with prisoners, warned that drug-related offences and cultism might result in imprisonment, stigma and employment difficulties.
He recounted the expertise of a former prisoner who struggled to safe employment after conviction and repeatedly offended earlier than finding out criminology and rebuilding his household life.
Charles Chibuzor, a substance-abuse survivor, shared his expertise, warning college students in opposition to experimenting with medicine or yielding to damaging peer strain.
Chibuzor stated early publicity to cigarettes at house and strain from associates led him to hashish use, different medicine and promoting substances in class.
He recounted struggling extreme withdrawal problems, together with bleeding from his nostril and ears, after a blood vessel ruptured, requiring hospital remedy.
Chibuzor stated surviving the ordeal prompted him to depart the dangerous setting and start rebuilding his life.
Urging college students to make accountable decisions and set up constructive friendships, he declared: “Say no to drugs, stay smart, don’t start.”
Earlier, Mr Wale Adeyekun, the undertaking coordinator, welcomed collaborating faculty officers, college students, safety personnel and different stakeholders, acknowledging their contributions to selling safer decisions amongst younger individuals.
The workshop additionally featured discussions on public talking, with panellists recommending preparation, listening to information and skilled audio system, and studying from mentors to enhance confidence.
Eko Boys to Men Association (EBTM) is a Lagos Island-based social organisation that promotes youth improvement via mentorship, profession steerage and expertise acquisition.
The affiliation seeks to assist younger individuals develop self-discipline, confidence, constructive values and sensible expertise wanted for tutorial achievement and accountable maturity.
Its initiatives deliver college students into contact with skilled professionals and mentors, encouraging them to make knowledgeable profession decisions and contribute positively to society.
The affiliation has additionally used school-based workshops to deal with challenges dealing with younger individuals and promote constructive options to adverse social influences.
Participants on the workshop burdened that stopping cultism and substance abuse required cooperation amongst households, faculties, safety businesses and communities, alongside early intervention and entry to rehabilitation. (NAN)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
