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…restates commitment to empower school children in Nigeria
By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
Success Inside Network (SINET), an NGO that focused on providing counsels for secondary school children has restated it’s commitment to train, sensitize,mentor and empower teenagers in the country, especially to curb societal vices among them.
The group made this assertion during a day sensitization workshop/seminar held recently for 600 students in Lagos.They have been working with teenagers in secondary school, close to a decade and they have been providing counsels that would enable them improve their character,choice of career and mindset.
Convener of the initiative, Mr. Adeyinka Obafemi said they are modelling young adults to become responsible citizens of the country.
We sensitizing them, by speaking through their minds and moulding their characters to become change agents in their respective communities.
Obafemi said he never had such privileged. But he already took certain decisions and steps before he discovered that he was in a wrong career .The platform would provide them with the necessary information that can help them navigate life, especially career choices and path.
He cited himself as a case study, explaining how he toiled a wrong career path.
“I did science in secondary school, computer science in the polytechnic and mathematics in the university. I realized that my potentials were not utilized. And I would have found fulfillment and better expression in doing art related courses because I had those things imbibe in me that are art related .
Obafemi pointed out that stakeholders at the educational system need to come together, in order to provide a platform for career guidance, especially with the advent of technology where new skills are emerging in the work space. You have to develop relevant skills for today’s job market
“Some of the things in our school curriculum are obsolete, they cannot deliver to the present generation because there is a gap between what is being taught and the advancement of technology.
He added that if we do not have a platform that addresses it, we would remain at the same point. So many young people are saying that school is a scam, because what they are being taught is outdated. So they feel what you are teaching them, can’t help them so that’s the reason they say school is a scam.
“While in the real sense school is not a scam. So we need a conference where we can address this. All stakeholders can come together and we can rebrand our educational system.
He urge parents, government, and the society at large to encourage and engage teenagers. The teenagers need a better engagement because they are not people that you can give things that will not work.
One of the facilitators, Mr. Abayomi Olawusi said that it is better to raise a child than to repair an adult. Meeting with these children is the right step. We are grooming them to become role models and create a lasting impact among them.
Olawusi advise parents to try hard and provide for their children, the first provision is the provision of attention. Be very close to your children especially in this generation and time where there is famine of the word a lot of influence and peer pressure.
He appealed to parents to become close friends with their kids.
Moreso ,they should try to relate with them, tell them adventure about your childhood this can equally help to shape them.
“let them know how you grew up, share things with them. So that they can trust you and you can be their confidant. Try to let them know the family value, what you stand for as a family and I am sure with that you cannot get it wrong.
“As for the caregivers, they should see the children as their own. Whatever they believe and wish for their own children’s future, they should equally believe in these children. Treat them with love, give them proper attention and also believe in them. Any child that seems to be giving trouble needs more attention, you need to find a way to get into that child. Behind every child, there is a gold to be mined. You just need to pay attention to discover it.
Also the Co-founder of the vision, Mrs Jane Obafemi said that the way teenagers today behave is worrisome, hence the need to put in a platform to communicate with them. Especially, moulding of character, habit, and their behave in the society. There are lots of ills in the society and some parents do not pay attention to all the things going on in our society because of the challenges to provide for their children.
Mrs Obafemi said that the major reason,they had to put this sensitization and awareness event for them.We want them to understand that anything they do today will show up tomorrow.
