LASG, UNFPA target school counsellors for capacity building against Gender Based Violence

By Moses Adeniyi

Lagos State Government (LASG) has, in collaboration with the United Nations Fund for Population Agency (UNFPA),  convened capacity building programme for school counsellors in a bid to strengthen the fight against Gender Based Violence.

The capacity programme which commenced, Wednesday, also covered efforts to promote response and management of Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health.

At the State Treasury Resource Centre in  Ikeja, participants from different schools in Educational District III in the State were taken through different topics and activities that gave them more knowledge and skills to enhance their performance.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Dr Ayoola Aina, stated that the programme was occasioned by the fact that the State Government could not afford to close its eyes to students being subjected to dehumanising condition as a result of lack of adequate knowledge relating to issues affecting their sexual life.

Dr Aina, represented by Director Youth Department, Mr Abdulateef Saka said, “the Adolescence Sexual Reproductive Health education needs to be imparted to adolescents for smooth and successful transition to adults.

“The adolescence education is an educational intervention for imparting information, providing encouragement and support, clarification of doubts and myths so that adolescents can make sense of their world and grow as productive members of the society.”

Emphasising the reason for organising the programme for the teachers, Aina said, “The role of teachers is very important because the main aim of the teacher is the character building of the students.”

“They not only cater for the spiritual development of the student but are also responsible for the development of the soul – the mind and body of the students.”

In their various presentations, the facilitators Mrs Bose Deji-Oderinde, Mrs Modupeola Sahid-Adebambo and Mr Folorunso J. Viavonu who are all Child Protection Experts and Social Workers took the participants on the topics: “Overview of Domestic and Sexual Violence/Abuse Amongst Students and Young People; Overview of Child Protection Policy; and Roles of the Society in the Prevention/Management of Child Abuse.”

…Man O War Nigeria honours Dawodu, Youth Commissioner

The is just as the Man O’ War, Nigeria (Lagos State Command), has honoured the State’s Commissioner Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr Olusegun Dawodu for the enormous contribution of the Ministry  towards youth development in the State.

Making the presentation of the award on Thursday at the Conference Room of the Ministry on behalf of the Non Vonluntay Organisation, Lagos State Commander, MC Engr Lucky W.Onimowo said that the organisation decided to recognise the Commissioner because of the transformation the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development has brought to the youth architecture since the present administration came on board.

He said, “The relative peace being enjoyed in Lagos, no doubt, is as a result of the continuous engagement of the teeming youth population by the State Government through programmes designed to meet their needs. Such programmes designed also help to prepare the youth for leadership position.”

Engr. Onimowo requested for offices for their Area Commanders and Youth Centres for the use of the Organisation to help widen their reach in terms of youth oriented programmes.

The Man O War Commander disclosed that apart from instilling morals in the youths, the Organisation has designed skill acquisition programmes handled by professionals for the youths to help them become self employed.

In his appreciative response, Dawodu said, “Lagos of my dream is one that the youths believe in the government of the day.”

The Commissioner stated that the School Sports Intervention programme launched some weeks ago under which 450 Games Masters and Mistresses would be trained was one of the initiatives put in place to continuously engage the youths.