By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has Charged Children in the State to shun all forms of Bullying and report the same to their teachers, guardians, trusted adults as well as their parents to promote a saner Society.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele gave the Charge during the year 2025 Children’s day Celebration with the theme “Stand up, speak up, building a Bully Free generation”, done by Office of the First lady in collaboration with the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, held at the Oba’s Complex Oke-mosan.
The Governor said, Children’s day was earmarked to honour the core values in our children our families, our communities and the nation at large, saying that Bullying was a serious issue that must be discussed openly so as to find a lasting solution to end the trends
Governor Abiodun added that bullying could be any repeated action, whether through words, behavior or otherwise, that causes pain, fear or humiliation to someone else, be it Physical, mental or emotional, stating that It was important for those present to take the message home, go back home and deliberate on the inherent dangers of Bullying.
The State’s helmsman then used the opportunity to reiterate his Administration’s commitment to building an education system that nurtures the mind, the body and the spirit of every child in the state, noting that mechanisms had been put in place to checkmate all forms of Bullying in its Schools.
According to him ” Bullying should never be tolerated, but the underlying issues must also be addressed, The Ministry of Women Affairs and Education have been charged by this Government to strengthen all efforts through school policies, advocacy, legal enforcement and public Education to eradicate bullying from our schools and communities, as Government could not do it alone.”
Abiodun then called on parents, faith leaders, youth mentors, traditional institutions and every adult in the State to join hands together with the government to raise strong, happy, emotionally balanced children who feel safe and loved wherever they are in their journey to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Contributing the Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, implored them to be good ambassadors to themselves, community, State and society at large, praying that God Almighty would continue to uphold, guide and increase them academically.
In his goodwill message, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, congratulated the children, urging them to always reflect on this year’s children’s day theme, while also advising them not to encourage bullying but be good ambassadors of their families, schools and State, as there was a policy against bullying both in the state and at the federal government.
In her welcome address, Hon. Motunrayo Adeleye, felicitated with the children on their day, saying Prince Dapo Abiodun led administration was committed to building children who are full of confidence, intelligence and creativity to become global models and not bullied to lose focus in achieving their set goals..
She noted that through Policy reform, proactive engagement and support of major stakeholders, bullying would be a thing of the past in the nation, while saying the state Government would also ensure that no child remains vulnerable or voiceless as their energy must be directed from destruction to development.
