CEE-HOPE CONTINUES 'RISE-AGAINST-RAPE-AND-ABUSE' CAMPAIGN TO LAGOS SCHOOLS

On 25^th of March 26, 2015 CEE-HOPE’s carried out its RISE-AGAINST-RAPE-and-ABUSE (RARA) Campaign at Zino Schools (primary and secondary) in Ikotun Lagos State. It is one of several schools visited since the campaign started last year and targeted at schools in impoverished neighbourhoods.
                               

 

It is part of its campaign at equipping children with adequate knowledge to enable them to recognize, report and therefore avoid potential abuse situations. This is in light of rampant reports of sexual abuse of minors across the country. It is CEE-HOPE’s belief that disseminating such information, utilizing age- appropriate languages, targeted at children, particularly teenagers in secondary schools, is key to ensuring abuse-free childhoods. It is of note that abused children tend to become psychologically damaged and sometimes, sadly, violent adults.

The team comprising CEE-HOPE’s Executive Director Betty Abah and Project Assistant Titigbe Onyeka Venath was welcomed by the school proprietress Mrs. Patience A. Ezeh and introduced to about 100 students and teachers already seated for the programme.

                                 

 

The Director, Betty Abah using age-appropriate messages, spoke to the children on how to prevent child abuse, particularly rape. She urged them to speak up each time they notice suspicious moves byolder people around them or their peers be they 'uncles', neighbors or even their teachers. She further stressed the need for them to report to their parents, teachers or guardians so as to prevent them from the possibility of abuse. That, she said, applies to both boys and girls as both sexes could also be vulnerable to abuse.

Mrs. Abah also warned the students  against indulging in social vices that may endanger their futures, saying ‘you are the future of Nigeria. You can whatever you aspire to be, but bad habits do cut dreams short.’ She also answered questions from inquisitive students.

                             

 

 

The proprietress appreciated Mrs. Abah for her presentation and urged all students to be absolve what they had just learnt. The students were clearly excited.

David Idonigie who represented Mr. Godwin Winny Uwagbale of African Pride Empowerment Empire, commended the initiative by CEE-HOPE. “It’s hard for you to see people coming to educate the people in this area,’ he said.

Gifts of exercise books and campaign materials were presented to the students.

The RARA campaign will continue in schools and communities across Lagos, Ogun States and gradually will reach other parts of the country.

‘RARA’ in Yoruba, one of Nigeria’s three languages, means ‘NO’.