Child Mentoring: Knowledge Of Child Rights Excites Teens

By Oluwatope Lawanson

Some teenagers on Friday, expressed excitement about learning the rights that should be afforded to them in order to become better individuals and contribute positively to society.
The teenagers, students from public schools who underwent a six-month programme focused on rights, self-esteem, and career mentorship, noted that the training instilled boldness in them.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training, carried out in two cohorts for Amuwo Odofin and Ojo Local Governments, graduated 50 trainees at the Satellite Town Centre.

The programme was organised by the Devatop Centre for Africa Development, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), with support from the Freedom Fund and the U.S. Department of State.

The programme was also organised to celebrate the remarkable progress made by the participating children and to distribute mentorship kits designed to support their continued growth.

The children were trained on various topics, including Child Protection Rights, Self-Esteem (Discovering My Worth), Mastering Communication, Career Choices, and Talent Discovery.

Other areas of focus included Building Mental Strength, which involved learning to say no to harmful interactions and obligations.

During his remarks at the event, 14-year-old Happi Sunday, said that he looked forward to the weekly training sessions, as they provided knowledge that his parents had not been able to teach him.

13-year-old Akunna Chinaza mentioned that the training had significantly shaped her perspective, particularly in relation to interacting with the opposite sex.

“I learned how to dress properly as a girl, how to sit with my legs closed, the difference between public and private parts of my body, and how to protect my private parts from being touched by anyone,” she explained.

“It is in the training I got to know education right, good feeding, healthcare and right to expression are rights accorded me by the Constitution and the UN Charter,” she said.

Goodness Owuzuruike, said that, the training had emboldened her to be able to protect herself from criminal minded male neighbours and family friends who touched her sensitive parts in the name of familiarity.

Ms Rose Ume, a Behavioural Counselor and trainner for the teens, said that, child maltreatment, abuse, child labour, bullying deprived children of their freedom and must be discarded with.

Ume said that, the UN convention and charter stressed the intentional act of parents and guardians to ensure every child was protected from all forms of abuse.

“Give listening ear to children around you as parents to earn their confidence to confide in you that way you be able to discover challenges the children face and prevent such.

“Violation of child rights carries several consequences that no adult will want to experience.

“Therefore, intentional efforts should be made to promote child rights for a better society .“

As part of the initiative, each child received a mentorship kit containing educational and personal development materials, including school bags, notebooks, socks, textbooks, colouring supplies, exam preparation materials among others. NAN