The long-anticipated campaign against abuse and addiction
kicked off this week with over 700 girls at Herbert Macaulay Girls High School,
Yaba, Lagos enlightened on the dangers of common addictions and how to avoid
them.
TAA is a novel initiative aimed at helping secondary school
students avoid and deal with habits and dependencies that can ruin their lives,
such as drugs, gambling, sex, gaming and other addictions.
The Foundation also distributed free copies of a book
titled: ‘Addictions That Can Ruin A Youth’ to all the students.
Speaking on the rationale behind this initiative, Emike
Oyemade, Convener and Facilitator, Wise Walk Foundation, said, “Our moral,
social, and educational values are deteriorating dramatically, especially among
teenagers.
Therefore, we seek to help these future leaders unlearn
‘weird’ beliefs about addictions.
“We cannot pretend to be oblivious to the rising level of
abuse and addictions prevalent among teenagers and adolescents in Nigeria.
We took up this enormous task in line with our vision to
impact and improve the vulnerable by educating for empowerment, enlightening
for a purposeful life, and advocating for recovery from abuse and addiction,”
Oyemade said.
Sponsored by Zenith Bank Plc, this maiden edition intends to
reach over 11,000 secondary school students across 10 schools in Lagos Mainland
during the second term in schools’ calendar. Other schools to be visited
include Aje Comprehensive High School, Lagos City College, Wesley Girls’ High
School, Eletu Odibo High School, Mainland School, Nawar-Ur-Deen High School,
His Glory Plus College and Strength College.
Dr Temitope Fasoranti, Executive Director, Zenith Bank Plc,
noted that the organisation recognises the need to support campaigns that
positively affect the young generation.
He said, “As a responsible corporate citizen, giving back to
the communities where we carry out business is an integral part of our overall
strategy. Zenith Bank is happy to throw its weight behind relevant and
impactful campaigns like these.”
Mrs Abiola Oloruntobi, Principal of Herbert Macaulay Girls
High School, expressed great delight over the impact of this initiative on the
students. In her words, “Our joy is boundless that reputable organisations like
Wise Walk Foundation are teaming up with us to make a difference in the lives
of our future leader.”
Oloruntobi urged corporate organisations, religious
societies, parents and the public to support initiatives like the TAA.
“Instilling the right values through anti-abuse and
anti-addiction campaigns will go a long way to ensure that our children turn
out good now and in the future,” she added.
In her words, “We have a mandate to bring healing, hope and
restoration to our society.
Our goal is to build a world without hurts, hopelessness and
hate, where safe people will not be victims and victims will find a safe
place.”
Oyemade further stated that the Foundation has not only
advocated against abuse and addictions.
“Over the years, we have also provided basic human needs for
people in distress, promoted entrepreneurship and empowerment programs,
provided social support to underserved communities and advocated for formal
education, vocational studies and life skills,” Oyemade said.
Wise Walk Foundation, a fully registered not-for-profit
organisation headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, is passionate about working with
secondary school students, especially in the areas of teenage/youth
counselling.
In the last four years, the organisation has conducted
several seminars and workshops on abuse, addictions, and how to recover from
these and other youth related issues.
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