The Nation Newspaper

Tag: teenagers

  • Teenagers warned against sexual abuse, cybercrimes

    With the prevailing level of insecurity in the country, being assertive is a quality one needs to stave off rapists, kidnappers and other anti-social elements on the prowl. Security consciousness, therefore, requires alertness and self-confidence.

    These assertions came from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni.

    The commissioner addressed a gathering of secondary school pupils in Lagos at the National Theatre, Iganmu, for the annual Goge Africa Foundation and Counselling Seminar last week.

    He said: “One of the commonest factors about criminals worldwide is that they often identify soft targets.  So, when you are on the street, walk with confidence; be bold enough to look into their faces.  Criminals want the lilly-livered they can easily intimidate.”

    Owoseni, who spoke through Frank Mba, an Assiatant Coommisioner of Police, identified various security tips  for youths can stave off sexual abuse and cybercrimes.

    The police boss, who lamented rampant cases of child abuse, especially rape in the society, said young girls need to be quickly aware when they are being stalked.

    “If you feel someone is trailing you, check your movement. You can cross to the other side of the road and pretend to be lacing your shoes to know if the person is still waiting. If the stalker is still there, walk into crowded places like malls, filling stations, markets, until the person disappears,”he said.

    Owoseni urged young girls to always walk in groups, and avoid dark places, especially at night. He warned teenagers against open display of valuable items that could make them potential targets, as well as working on their mobile sets while on highways.

    Sierra Oyerinde of the Christianah Fate Foundation, admonished teenagers to always speak out against what she called ‘ubiquitous sexual predators’ in Nigeria. According to her, research conducted revealed that 30 and 60 per cent of sexual abusers are immediate family members and friends of the family respectively, adding that the remaining 10 per cent are strangers.

    Speaking on: ‘Prevention of child abuse’ Oyerinde warned participants to watch out for abusers, who often plan their strategy gradually.

    “An abuser doesn’t just pounce on you; they first earn your trust,” Oyerinde began.

    “They (abusers) start by wooing you with gifts. When someone gives you gifts and tells you not to tell your parents, that gift is questionable. It’s a red flag. Sometimes someone asks you to send him your nude pictures with a threat that you will die in three days if you confide in anybody. It’s all lies. Speak up. Abuse thrives in secrecy, “she warned

    Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, who spoke on: “Cybercrimes among youths” noted that internet is one of the easiest ways to deceive. As teenagers, Agbata suggested that the friends they cultivate on social media should comprise only family members and friends known by their parents.

    “Internet is the easiest platform where people can be deceived. There are people, who simply claimed what they are not online. This is why I suggested that at this stage of yours, your parents, family members and

  • Hotel workers arrested for death of two teenagers

    Workers of Play House Hotel, Okhoro Road in Egor Local Government of Edo State have been arrested for the death of two teenagers in the swimming pool.

    The teenagers, Emmanuel Obuzu, 16 and Ikpomwosa Isibor, 17, died in the pool last Saturday.

    The Nation learnt the teenagers were brought out dead after somebody shouted.

    When our reporter visited the hotel yesterday, the swimming pool area was cordoned off.

    A worker, who claimed to be the manager, but refused to give his name, said the police were handling the matter.

    When asked what safety measures were put in place to prevent a recurrence, since somebody died in the pool two years ago, the man said: “It is left for the police. They are investigating the matter. You can meet them to tell you more.”

    A source at Okhoro Police Station where the matter was first reported, said workers on duty were arrested for interrogation.

    It was gathered the matter has been transferred to the homicide department.

  • Youthful passions and the lifeline for teenagers, young adults

    Youthful passions and the lifeline for teenagers, young adults

    Title: Don’t Let that CRUSH Crush you
    Author: Funto Abioye
    Publishers: Fountain of Lyfe Books, Nigeria
    Reviewer: Charles Ayidu

    In this book, Funto Abioye delves into a matter in the heart of all young people and a nut many parents find difficult to crack—crush. She demystifies the myth surrounding crush, educates the reader on its purpose and highlights ways to handle it. By writing this book, the author makes an audacious attempt to paddle in waters many parents dread to sail, and indeed, she navigates through it with remarkable passion, brilliance and ingenuity.

    The book has six chapters. The first chapter, an introduction to teenage-hood, provides an overview of the physical, emotional/sexual, and physiological transformations everyone undergoes from childhood to puberty. In chapter two, she begins to deal with the heart of the matter, stating clearly that crush, “the feeling of attraction or longing for companionship with the opposite sex is so natural” because it is “God’s way of preparing you for the future. . . God placed it there” for a “beautiful reason”—marriage. However, she warns that crush is a temporary feeling, a fantasy upon which “you cannot base life-altering decisions.”

    In chapter three, Funto admonishes young people to focus on building their lives by discovering themselves, understanding their purpose in life, reading good books, getting an education and pursuing their dreams. She concludes the chapter by unequivocally stating that “you cannot discover your purpose without the purpose giver.” Those who want to build a successful life always begin with God, because “the spiritual usually affects the natural, if you really want to be successful, you can’t remove God from the equation.”

    She speaks privately to the girl-child in chapter four. She tells her she is beautiful and special, and explains how she can handle pressure from boys. She warns: “Don’t be a dog or a loose lady with no value. You are an expensive gift and expensive things aren’t thrown around.” She then speaks to the boy-child in chapter five, lamenting the lack of training for young men and the chauvinistic system that breeds “weak, spineless, lazy and bossy men.” In no uncertain terms, she blames parents for not arming young people “with the arsenal and defense mechanisms they need to stay unhurt in these dangerous and evil times.”

    She ends the book in chapter six, by arguing that although there is not a fixed age for marriage, “All-round maturity is a basic requirement for marriage.”

    She therefore advises her readers to put God first and patiently wait for His time, for there’s “nothing more peaceful than being where God wants you to be.” Interestingly, these six chapters are thrice interposed with survey reports of 58 respondents from eight countries, in which the respondents share their thoughts on crush, their experiences, the mistakes they made, and their advice for younger folks.

    Although the book is focused on teenagers and young adults, parents will find it an indispensable resource for counselling. The message in it is sound, strong and splendid. Its intellectual depth, spiritual balance and sociological relevance makes it a worthy read for everyone.

    Funto Abioye’s other books include Adolescents and Parents: you two can be friends and Appetizers for your Soul.

  • How we escaped mutilation, by Ebonyi teenagers

    How we escaped mutilation, by Ebonyi teenagers

    A 17-year-old student of Comprehensive Secondary School Achacha 1 Community Igbagu, in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Miss Confidence Mbam has narrated her harrowing experience in the hands of some men and elderly women who took her hostage, held her bound to enable a traditional birth attendant circumcise her against her wish.

    In an interview with The Nation in Abakaliki, the state capital, Miss Mbam said trouble started when her father informed her that she would be circumcised in a few days’ time.

    She spoke when a team of United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF representatives led by Mrs. Ijeoma Onuoha Ogwe and Mrs. Adline Idike of the Adline Advocacy for the Dignity of the Destitute Foundation visited Achacha 1 Community.

    Mbam said, “On the fateful day, when I was asked to proceed for the circumcision and I objected, about 10 men and women took me hostage, held me bound and forcefully wanted to carry out the circumcision. Fortunately for me, I managed to wriggle out from them and immediately ran to the Pastor of our church who took me in and haboured me for the night.

    “The next morning and still in a state of confusion, the pastor came up with an idea that I should leave the village and travel to Cross River State and stay with my elder brother for the mean time. I left the village and went to stay with my elder brother until I was asked to return to the village following the quick intervention of UNICEF and other agencies that were reliably informed of the incident and they quickly intervened.”

    Miss Mbam, a JSS 1 student, said she will still try to run away from from their home again if there are any further attempts to force her into circumcision, adding that before now she was enlightened in her school and church on the dangers of female genital mutilation.

    Another 18-year-old student of Comprehensive Secondary School, Igbagu, Miss Faith Nkwede who also hail from Achacha 1 Community, also narrated her own ordeal, explaining that she too had to run away from home. She said she resisted the attempt to be forcefully circumcised which has been an aged long tradition in the community. Like her Mbam, she had also been informed about the challenges and agony women face during and after the mutilation.

    She stated that she would have been mutilated if not for the campaign by UNICEF and other agencies against the harmful practice.

    She urged other young girls in the community to also resist the attempt as that would save the community and end the practice.

    The father of Miss Confidence Mbam, Mr. Bernard Mbam who is the village head of Achacha 1 community said that she had informed the daughter of the plan to have her circumcised when she turns 17 but to her surprise she escaped from the community and ran to Cross River State from where she was mandated to return home after the intervention of UNICEF.

    Mr. Mbam said that with the enlightenment and advocacy visit of UNICEF to the community, he would henceforth lead the campaign against female genital mutilation and commended UNICEF and other non-governmental organization for their effort.

    Meanwhile, there was a mild drama at the residence of Mr. Mbam when 3 women including the grandmother of Miss Confidence rained abuses on her and threatened to carry out the circumcision should the UNICEF team leave her behind.

    The situation forced the founder of Adline Advocacy for the Dignity of the Destitute to take custody of the girl.

    In an interview with The Nation, the Founder of the advocacy group, Mrs. Idike said that she decided not to allow the girl stay back in the village as the women were prepared to take laws into their hands by mutilating the girl and face the outcome.

    She stated that with the girl out from the village, she has saved her from the agony of being mutilated and said that her group would intensify the campaign in Achacha 1 community and other villages in Izzi where the practice is still very high.

  • 43 teenagers escape from remand home

    About 43 teenagers have escaped from the Edo State Children Remand Home along Welfare road at Ikpoba-Okha local government.

    Teenagers arrested for various crimes or juvenile delinquencies are kept at the Ugbekun remand home pending when they attain 18 and  transferred to prison custody or properly rehabilitated.

    It was gathered that the detained teenagers escaped after gunmen stormed the center at about 2am on Sunday and shot sporadically.

    The gunmen were said to have broken down some windows and cut through iron protectors to pave way for the escape of the inmates.

    Officer in charge of the remand center, Mr. Victor Lawani, confirmed the incident but said some of the inmates have returned.

    Chief Security Officer of the center, who gave his name as Mr. Ojo, said the gunmen spent over two hours to cut through the protectors after they overpowered him.

    Oji said the gunmen stormed the center with sophisticated weapons. 

    Some of the inmates that were found said they ran into the bush until 5am and returned back to their hostel.

    Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon Philip Shaibu, who visited the scene to ascertain the level of damage expressed disappointment at the unkempt nature of the center.

    Hon Shaibu said it was unreasonable to keep children in such place.

    He ordered immediate inquiry into the remote and immediate causes of the invasion.

    “The place is porous, you cannot keep children in this dirty environment. They are humans like us. They deserve a better environment,” he said.

    Officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development who accompanied Hon Shaibu to the center said they have made a number of request on the need to rehabilitate the place but there has been no response from the state government. 

  • Nigeria‘s straying teenagers

    When a 19 year old boy recently fell afoul of the law by procuring abortion drugs for his 14 year old girlfriend in Lagos, and was predictably docked, the malaise assailing Nigeria‘s teeming teenagers fell under the harsh glare of judicial scrutiny.

    When a society gleefully glides to the cellars of morality and those whose duty it falls to provide moral leadership and direction display apathy and even dereliction, work  left undone and ills left unchecked become emboldened and  begin to take trophies. This time around, it is some of our youngest, vulnerable and most impressionable minds that are ripe for the taking.

    It has been a long time in coming and   insidiously so. As society has opened up to modernization and technology and parental guidance has waned, most teenagers have found themselves on crossroads swayed by delightful but deleterious pleasures. The signs and scars are many and ubiquitous.

    Teenage cultists and gangsters hold vast swathes of some states to ransom, teenagers fall prey to terrorists‘ recruitments,   and teenagers take to armed robbery and commercial sex work while an innumerable number fall through the cracks of poor and porous education and educational institutions respectively.

    The Nigerian society assailed by corruption and shocking moral erosion has found itself grappling with a malaise that can have even more pernicious effects on the very fabric and foundation of the Nigeria society. It is the rapid loss of traditional values. Nowhere is this annihilation of traditional values gaining more space and success as in the bosom of the family.   With more marriages crumbling and homes rocked and eventually broken, more and more casualties are churned out, immediately laying siege to the future of society which we rightly and presciently ascribe to our children who we watch pass on from one stage of life to the other. With most homes crumbling before children are sufficiently taught the basic mores of moral and civic existence, and some homes retaining only a semblance of stability while being completely dysfunctional, the very first layer of education and one which is the most critical is ruined. In our schools, especially in the public schools which fall the lot of most kids, the situation is darkly depressing. Poor educational standards, scant resources and lose moral and civic education coalesce into a nightmare hounding our kids. The result is what we see.

    At the level of society, public figures and celebrities alike have scantily helped with the toxicity of the messages they send across, consciously and unconsciously to these vulnerable minds. Most teenagers are attuned to celebrities, especially musicians and in their music and lifestyle, they envision the sort of lives they want to live and lead; a life of fame and fortune. The problem with this dream   is that it is mostly shaped by celebrities who in their determination to peddle their wares suffuse their trade with incomplete and dangerous messages. They not only try to preen themselves into projecting what is mostly utopian, they also try feverishly to show that   the paths are easy and laden with shortcuts. In elevating the idolatry of money and conjuring up the spectre of imaginary detractors and enemies, they do great harm to young, unguarded minds.

    As the aphorism which holds ‘that children are the leaders of tomorrow,’ grows clichéd and worn out in the face of interminable and forced political relevance by old and expired political war horses, the society must rise to the ills which confronts its teenagers and children by extension, and reclaim the reins which the forces of chaos hold in a vice-like grip. From the home to schools to churches and all public spaces, everybody must get involved in the moral education ad redirection of our straying teenagers, lest we bequeath the Nigeria of tomorrow to a ruthless  culture of bacteria.

     

    • Kenechukwu Obiezu,

    Abuja.

  • Teenagers advised on sexual honesty

    Teenagers advised on sexual honesty

    A non-governmental organisation (NGO), His Marvellous Grace Support Foundation (HMGSF), has organised a pep talk for teenagers on the importance of sexual honesty. The talk, designed to equip teenagers with  tools to navigate a fast-changing world, was held at the Redeemed Christain Church of God (RCCG) Fountain of Grace, Ibeshe in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

    The NGO, which has been helping and empowering teenagers since 2013, has provided free medical services and organised several empowerment and talk shows for young people, mostly in Ikorodu area.

    Explaining the difference between love and infatuation, Timi Oyebode, said the decision-making part of the brain, which resides in the front, is usually not fully formed until one is 21. Therefore, many decisions made below this age are likely to lack maturity.

    She spoke about the participants teenage years, telling them not to be too eager to experience adulthood. She said: “As teenagers, it is only natural that you want to be adults quickly. But how many of you have fallen in love or even know what love is?”

    While these questions drew blushes from the teenagers, Oyebode used her experience to inspire the teenagers, explaining that she suffered sexual abuse as early as age  seven. This, she said, made her spiral down to depths of sexual escapades, including lesbianism and masturbation, advising the children to stay away from such practices.

    She also recommended a therapeutic process to the teenagers in case any of them was already ‘hooked’ to any sexual vice. ‘The 21-day rule’, as she referred to the therapy, is an effective method to rehabilitate such a person. Such a person, she continued, must desist from this sexual activity before it deteriorated seriously enough to visit its attendant health and emotional challenges on the person.

    Meanwhile, Oluwadamisi Tayo-Ladega of HMGSF noted that the foundation chose the topic of the event because of the rate at which the times were changing, and the way children were being exposed to sexual perversion. She said: “There are some parents who are ‘teenagers’. They do not even know their right from their left, and they certainly do not know the difference between right and wrong on this matter.”

    Tayo-Ladega spoke briefly to the teenagers on the importance of imbibing a culture of courtesy and respect. Respect, she explained, goes beyond reverence for the elderly; it encompasses appreciation of the individuality of everyone, including the younger ones.

    She expressed gratitude to the parish pastor of RCCG, Fountain of Grace and his wife, Pastor and Deaconess Ebenezer Sofowora as well as the children teachers of the churches under the parishes and HMGSF volunteers.

  • Diamond Bank challenges teenagers

    Diamond Bank challenges teenagers

    Diamond Bank has thrown open an essay writing competition, challenging young people from early teens to visualize the future and creatively work to bring their aspirations to reality.

    Apart from inspiring creativity and productivity, the bank said in a release, that this year’s Diamond Cool-Teens Essay Competition also aims at helping teenagers build a healthy savings culture, prudent expenditure profile and rewarding investment character.

    Speaking on the importance of the essay writing competition in helping to drive financial inclusion among teenagers, the Head Corporate Communication, Ayona Aguele-Trimnell, said Diamond Bank is very passionate about the financial awareness and the financial future of teenagers, pointing that this year’s essay title: ‘how my Lenovo Tablet will help me achieve my dreams,’ was carefully chosen to enable participants align their thought flows with how they could use what they have to achieve their dreams in life.

    She said: “We are very passionate about young people, how they think about money and how to achieve their dreams in life. Knowing this, the Bank has created each product segment that would help bring out the best in them. As a highly techie Bank, we are very excited to inspire and reward our teenage customers and potential teenage customers with all the advantages that mobile technology has to offer in banking transactions”.

    The Diamond Cool-Teens Essay Competition is one of the ways the Bank inspire teenagers through the Diamond Cool-Teens Account.

    The Bank’s Head of Consumer Banking, Aisha Ahmad, stated that the reason for developing the product for teenagers is basically to enable them be among the banking community and know that they have a right to start early to chart healthy financial courses in life.

  • We were forced into armed robbery – teenage cultists

    We were forced into armed robbery – teenage cultists

    Four teenagers paraded by the Lagos Police command for armed robbery on Wednesday have said they were forced into the act.

    Samuel Madeko, 19, Bright Oriaku, 19, Ibrahim Oguntoyinbo, 18 and Babajide Akiola, 16, were arrested on December 28, at the Satellite area of the state for armed robbery and cultism.

    They were said to have dispossessed a road user of his mobile phone, laptop and money during the holiday, as well as robbed one Christ Apostolic Church.

    The teenagers were arrested after residents identified some of the culprits, as their gang members.

    According to the suspects, they were forcibly initiated into the Black Axe confraternity by one Bolaji and another Awala last year.

    The suspects, who claimed they were labourers at a construction site, disclosed that the said Bolaji and Awala usually forced them into armed robbery.

    According to them, their leaders connected them with a certain Pastor Chris who needed bands and furniture to state his own ministry.

    Oriaku told The Nation that they were given the telephone number of the said Pastor Chris, adding that he was aware they were going to steal the furniture and musical instruments.

    He said: “We have gone for several robberies. We usually snatch people’s belongings around 4am on the road. But we did those things out of fear because they were always forcing us.

    “But the truth is that we were not among the group that robbed that day. We refused to follow Bolaji and Awala because we had early morning job at the site.

    “What actually happened was that, our leaders usually come to the site were we work and so, people around used to see them. So, that day that we did not follow them, we heard they robbed a man near the site and collected some things from him.

    “People who saw them and knew they usually come to our site, now pointed at us that we were the ones.

    “We have gone for many operations. We have robbed a church. And the leaders are the ones who usually sent us. The day we went to the church, there was no door and so, we carried the things and took it to them.

    “It was one Pastor Chris who said he wanted to start a ministry and that was how we were sent to steal the things. I am not happy about the life I have lived, I was afraid to report to anyone because they threatened to kill me,” he said.

    16-year-old  Akiola who claimed he was an orphan disclosed that so many children, including 10-year-olds were members of the gang.

    He claimed as a new initiate, he usually played the role of a spy for the group whenever they were going for an operation or a battle.

    Although said he has never killed anyone, Akiola admitted that he had followed the group to a battle against the Eiye confraternity were two persons were shot by Bolaji.

    “I have told the police everything I know. I did not join this group with clear eyes.  I never wanted to join them but everything they will be beating me.

    “They will seize my clothes, my shoes, money and anything I have on me. Samuel usually harassed me anytime he saw me on the road because I refused to join them.

    “It is a normal thing in that area. Even small children of 10 years are Adaba (Senior ranks). I usually seat on the floor whenever they are around.

    “I am the most junior in rank, am a Tendi. After Tendi, you have Fly, where Samuel, Bright and Ibrahim belong and after them you have Adaba.”

    Asked how he was initiated, Akiola said they blindfolded him, slapped him severally and poured dry gin into his eyes.

    “I paid for the initiation. They covered my face; took me to one corner; gave me double slaps like 30 times; trampled on me while I was on the ground and then they poured whiskey in my eyes.

    “For several days I did not get myself. After all the beating and torture they gave me, they now said I should pay N17,000 to Fly or that I should kill somebody.

    “I refused to kill anyone and I told them I do not have the money yet. They told me that the Fly initiation is worse than the Tendi and that I was be taken to a native doctor and that I will die if am not strong enough.

    “They also said they will mix rice and garri and give me to eat. So,after they told me the whole thing, I just made up my mind that I won’t do it.

    “I am not happy that my evil deeds have led me into police custody. I pray that they forgive me so that I will just go to the village and live with my grandmother.

    “My father died last year and I only met my mother last year too but she does not want me. She prefers her children from her current marriage.

    “It was after I went to her and she rejected me that I returned to Lagos and joined the cult so that the bad boys will leave me in peace,” he said.

    According to Madeko who said he was an indegene  of Cross River State, he was initiated in April last year and has followed the group for several robbery operations as well as clashes with rival cults.

    He disclosed that before joining the group, the older boys in the neighbourhood would beat him up, seize his clothes, shoes and even money.

  • Police arraign three teenagers over alleged gang rape

    Police arraign three teenagers over alleged gang rape

    Three teenagers, Elijah Adebowale, Suleiman Balogun and Shefiu Adam, were on Thursday charged before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over the alleged gang rape of a 13-year-old girl.

    Adebowale (15), Balogun (16) and Adam (14), who all resides at the Iju area of Lagos, are being tried on a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Rita Momah, told the court that the teenagers and three others, now at large, committed the offences on Oct. 5, in an uncompleted building at Olopade St., Iju-Ishaga, Lagos.

    Momah said that the accused all conspired to lure the 13-year-old to the building, where the six of them took turns with her.

    She explained that the accused persons spotted the 13-year-old coming out of a church and sent her to get drinks for them.

    According to Momah, the accused offered the 13-year-old a bottle of assorted drink that was already spiked and each of them all had carnal knowledge of her.

    The prosecution submitted that the offences contravened Sections 409 and 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge leveled against them.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 137 prescribes life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of child rape.

    The judge, Mr F.A Adeeyo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N300, 000 each, with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to Dec. 7, for continuation of hearing.