The Child Protection Network (CPN), Ogun State Chapter in collaboration with SOS Children’s Village, on Tuesday, organised a seminar for secondary school students in the state to address the menace of social vices, which is now prevalent among the youths.
The seminar held at Iwe-Iroyin Press Centre, Abeokuta, was supported by the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
The event, which was designed to commemorate the 2025 edition of the Day of the African Child on Implementation of Child Safeguarding and Protection Policy, attracted a number of students from various secondary school students as participants.
Stakeholders who spoke on mentorship during the seminar focused on important need for the students to shun cultism, drug abuse, as well as all forms of social vices, and embrace hard work, education, and integrity as pathways to a successful life.
The Deen of the Faculty of Law, Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Dr Kayode Akinsola in his presentation counseled the students to have strength of character, focus, to strive for excellence, maintain good relationship and follow the words of God to attain greater heights in life.
Akinsola recalled and shared his growing up at early stage in life, adding that to become successful in life, there is always need to remain focused and be positively determined
The legal practitioner called on the youths to be cautious of all forms of temptations that can make them derail from a successful journey in life, stressing that Rome was not built in a day, but they should strive harder to make education their first priority in life
Hon. Justice Phillip Akinside, in his own contributions, explained that he was from a poor family background, recalling that his father was a mechanic but with dedication and sacrifice, he went through school and became a judge.
The judge encouraged the students to avoid distractions, be humble and follow good examples, assuring that, that would be the only best way for them to make it in life and be relevant in their chosen carriers.
“My father was a mechanic, but with dedication and sacrifice, I went through school and became a judge. You must avoid distractions and follow good examples’, Akinside emphasised
In similar vein, Justice Adebiyi Odugbesan admonished the young Nigerians to prepare for their future right from their secondary school days, aspire to be great by cultivating reading habit and prioritize their education for a brighter future.
‘My father was a newspaper vendor and my mother sold pap, but today, their son is a judge. My father once sold his personal belongings to keep me in school. That sacrifice kept me focused and determined’, he stated.
‘With the current realities, it is very difficult to succeed in life without education. Be hardworking and prayerful, and always remember the son or daughter of whom you are’, Odugbesan added
The Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Ogun State Command Mrs Bosede Jimoh, warned students against falling victim to human traffickers.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), boss lamented the rising cases of young Nigerians being trafficked abroad under false promises of a better life.
‘There is a growing number of young people being lured abroad for prostitution and forced labor. If anyone talks to you about a job offer or taking you abroad, report them immediately to your school authorities. Your teachers know how to reach us’, she said.
TheChairman, National Youths Council (NYC), Mr Kola Soremi called on the youths not to allow pressure of peer group to destroy their future by refraining from the intake of hard drugs, cultism and act capable of jeopardizing their future.
