The Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path Initiative (FEYReP) continued it’s statewide sensitisation campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and other social vices among secondary school students in Akwa Ibom State.
This second day of the sensitisation programme held at Nsit People’s Grammar School, Afaha Offiong, in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, where students, teachers, and school management participated in an interactive session focused on promoting responsible behaviour among youths.
The programme addressed issues bordering on Gender-Based Violence, Drug Abuse, Cultism, Gambling, and other harmful behaviours affecting young people in society.
FEYReP’s Head of the Counselling Unit, Lady Aniebiet-Abasi Akpan, who addressed the school community, harped on the importance of awareness and education in preventing gender-based violence among students. In her speech she pointed out the need to take action as evil only succeeds under the cover of darkness/ silence, when victims and witnesses refuse to speak up for fear of stigma, victimization or for lack of concern. The awareness drive by FEYReP is aimed at breaking the chain of silence and getting people to speak up and act in order to expose and bring offenders to justice.
She encouraged students to speak out against abuse, avoid negative influences, and seek help from trusted authorities whenever they face harassment or violence.
Also speaking, the Head of Monitoring and Evaluation/GBV Department, Pastor Idorenyin Atti, warned students against the dangers of drug abuse, cultism, and gambling. He described such behaviours as destructive habits capable of ruining the future of young people.
According to him, students must resist peer pressure, remain disciplined, and focus on their education and personal development to become responsible members of society
In her remarks, the Principal of Nsit People’s Grammar School, Afaha Offiong, Mrs Iniobong Umoh, commended FEYReP for the sensitisation programme, describing it as timely and impactful.
She noted that such initiatives are necessary for guiding students away from social vices and helping them make positive life choices.
Some students, including the Senior Prefect, Master Moses Johnny, and Assistant Senior Prefect, Master Destiny James, expressed appreciation to FEYReP for the enlightenment programme. They said the session had helped them better understand issues relating to rape, harassment, physical assault, drug abuse, and other social vices.
The highlight of the event was the distribution of educational materials to students who actively participated and answered questions correctly during the interactive session.
FEYReP also urged members of the public to report cases of Gender-Based Violence through its support and counselling lines: 08033316234 and 09082027296
