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Education District VI hosted a one‑day seminar on Sexual Abuse and Child Trafficking Awareness for female secondary school students across its three zones. The programme, themed “Your Safety, Your Voice: Building a School Community Free from Abuse,” was designed to equip young girls with the knowledge and confidence to protect themselves and their peers.
Delivering the opening remarks, Mrs. Mojisola Christiana Yusuff, Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District VI, described the students as ambassadors of their schools. She urged them to share the lessons learned with classmates who could not attend, ensuring the seminar’s impact reaches the wider school community.
Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Executive Secretary of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, encouraged the girls to speak out against inappropriate behaviour, stressing that silence could be misinterpreted as consent. “Don’t allow anybody to destroy your dreams. Go out there and find your voice,” she said.
The seminar featured a presentation by Mrs. Elizabeth Ajeseni of NAPTIP Lagos Office, who outlined the dangers of trafficking – loss of freedom, abuse, broken dreams, and health risks. She cautioned against traffickers’ tactics such as fake promises of jobs or scholarships and urged students to report suspicious offers. “Your life is precious, your freedom is non‑negotiable,” she declared.
Dr. Joy Kounasso, a social impact advocate, emphasised the importance of setting boundaries and defining safety in physical, emotional, and environmental terms. She encouraged students to trust their instincts and speak up when something feels wrong.
In her remarks, Dr. Oluwatoyin Kotun, a social work professional, highlighted signs of unsafe behaviours such as sudden mood changes, withdrawal from friends, declining academic performance, and frequent conflicts. He explained that setting boundaries fosters safety, responsibility, self‑respect, and positive decision‑making.
Education District VI reaffirmed its commitment to building safer schools where every child’s voice is heard and every dream is protected.
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