Lagos State Government has reiterated that the bullying of children under any guise will not be tolerated under the present administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, echoed this stance in his keynote address to mark International Children's Day Celebration for 2025, themed, "Stand Up, Speak Up: Building A Bully-Free Generation", held at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Secretariat, Alausa.
He said, "We are not here only to celebrate our children, but listen to them and protect them as the leaders of tomorrow. A society that protects children is a society that protects its future. Our children are our future. We will not tolerate bullying of any child under any guise. Every child deserves respect and love. Today's event is a clarion call to everyone to prioritise the best interests of our children in all we do”.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary Pharm (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu stated that the children should be celebrated not just on a special occasion like Children's Day but daily to make them have a sense of belonging, which the Social Inclusion policy of the THEMES Plus Agenda of the present administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has continuously emphasized.
According to Oke-Osanyintolu, the Ministry of Youth and Social Development has strengthened the child protection system through the Child Protection Unit of the Ministry, laying strong emphasis on the Child Rights Law and ensuring that those caught in the act of violating the rights of children are made to face the consequences through the legal process.
"The Ministry of Youth and Social Development is collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure that no child in Lagos State is subjected to bullying, be it emotional, physical, or cyber. Not under our watch will it be tolerated. We have a policy that if you see something, say something", the Permanent Secretary added.
The Motivational Speaker, Founder, Solid Teens and Youth Initiative, Mrs. Gbemi Agbato, deplored bullying of children in any form, adding that it is a deliberate act that denigrates and degrades the victim, which every child must stand up against because it is an evil act.
As part of the celebration, the children participated in a debate and also watched a DINA Movie screening with the theme "What Society Does To Us" produced by Wilson Ukhurebor, which underscored the negative effects of bullying and the need for everyone to desist from the act.
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